Together

Zhao Liangs film portrays AIDS sufferers of both genders they are all people with very different biographies As if it wasnt bad enough being infected by HIV their suffering is compounded by the fact that in the Peoples Republic of China the disease is hushed up and people living with AIDS are ostracised In China the public at large knows very little about the disease and most people associate the virus with promiscuity This fear of discrimination forces most patients to hide the fact that they are positive The AIDS sufferers in Zhao Liangs film were willing to share their experiences with him The filmmaker was able to make contact with them via internet support groups he also visited children with Aids at a red ribbon school but above all he talked to AIDS sufferers during the making of Gu Changweis film It is their presence which lends Changweis film its particular authenticity