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Una Cuestión De Vida O Muerta
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Audience:
Latino women
Year:
1988
Speech Rate:
136 words/min
Large Words
Language(s):
Spanish (minimal English)
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This video dramatization cautions against behaviors that may put a person at risk for the AIDS virus, especially sexual contact with an IV-drug user without the use of condoms. The production targets Hispanic women, and encourages them to become informed and take action to protect themselves and their loved ones from AIDS.
The story takes place in New York, and involves a middle-aged widow who works at a factory and is raising two teenage daughters. The older daughter, Ivette, works at a pizza parlor and initially appears to be the more outgoing and wilder of the two sisters. Carmen, on the other hand, is quiet and studious. She seems to be the responsible daughter, who will be successful in life, and the daughter in whom the mother has placed all her faith. However, as the story unfolds, it is actually Ivette who is more informed and cautious in her decisions and behavior. She confronts Carmen, who is secretly seeing a known drug user. Carmen confides that she may be pregnant. Ivette convinces her to get tested for HIV, and the video ends with an emotional scene in which Carmen tells her mother that she is scared and they pray together. Carmen and Ivette leave for the clinic to find out the results of Carmen’s test. The video appeals to a strong sense of familismo (siblings and parents as a source for information, comfort and support) and religiosity (the final scene in which they all invoke the protection of Saint Barbara). There is also some representation of machismo (when Ivette’s partner, Leni, decides to use a condom to protect Ivette, and when Rico – Carmen’s partner – refuses to use a condom) and hembrismo (Ivette’s determination to protect and help her sister). The mother speaks little or no English, and the daughters, who seem more acculturated, use English expressions throughout the video. These include: “numbers,” “AIDS,” “relax,” “messing around,” “always,” “don’t you want to have fun,” “gay,” “babies,” and “I think I’m pregnant.” The script includes modeling of successful and unsuccessful condom negotiation. There is no demonstration of proper condom use. Bleach is mentioned as an effective disinfectant for needles and syringes, but there is no detailed explanation or actual demonstration. Although all transmission routes are mentioned, the emphasis is on transmission of the virus via unprotected sexual contact with an IV-drug user. There is mention of anal sex being far more dangerous than vaginal sex in regard to exposure to the AIDS virus. The overall technical quality is good. |
Go to video listings for:
African Americans
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