Vida

Year: 1989
Running Time: 16 minutes (English); 19 minutes (Spanish)

Speech Rate: 0 words/min (English); 139 words/min (Spanish)

Large Words
Average: 0 (English); 0 (Spanish)
Minimum/Maximum: 0/0 (English); 0/0 (Spanish)

Language(s): English (subtitled) version; Spanish version

Purchase Price (VHS): $65
Rental Price: Not Available

Distributor:
Select Media, Inc.
225 Lafayette Street
Suite 1102
New York, NY 10012
(212)431-8923 or FAX (212) 431-8946

Catalog Help

This dramatization addresses the need for Latino women to insist that their sexual partners use condoms and the difficulties of broaching the issue of condom use. Elsie, a Latino woman, is urged by her friend to ask her boyfriend, Luis, to use a condom. Elsie eventually asks Luis to use a condom but he refuses, stating that he is not a “queer,” that he doesn’t use drugs, and that he will not allow a woman to tell him what to do. Elsie vows that she will have nothing to do with him until he demonstrates that he really cares for her.

This video will be most effective with Latino women audiences. Its focus is on negotiation with a sexual partner. The main message is that women must take control of their lives and protect themselves from AIDS, even if their male partner threatens to leave. Elsie is portrayed as someone who is afraid of being alone and is dominated by others, but who begins to take control of her life by standing up to her boyfriend and to her mother. She and Lucy – who has successfully insisted that her own partner use condoms – provide role models for viewers.

The video appeals to the Latino cultural values of familismo (the importance of Elsie’s daughter is motivation for her to protect herself) and machismo (Luis’ attitude towards Elsie and his refusal to wear condoms).

The video does not provide extensive background information about AIDS, although it conveys the messages that AIDS is not transmitted through casual contact and that people with AIDS need support from their friends. Detailed information and demonstrations of condom use and safer sex techniques are not provided. The overall technical quality is excellent.

African Americans
Gay & Bisexual Men
Latinos
Women
 
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