Vis-à-vis : Bernard et Derek
Sida : vivre avec... Série-Collection : Vis-à-vis

Patrice Barrat, Kim Spencer
1993 - 52 min - Betacam SP - Couleur - France

Bernard, 44, lives in Paris, alone in his small apartment in Belleville. He's had AIDS for twelve years and has been treated for seven years. In France, he is considered one of the longest survivors of the disease. On the other side, in Warsaw, is Darek, 27. A former drug addict, he is HIV positive and has just become a father. His wife Monika has faith, and they are both convinced that they are protected by love. So far, they haven't used and kind of contraceptive. Monika hasn't been contaminated but each new intercourse increases the risk of infection, and they are both aware of it.
This "Vis à Vis" confronts two concepts of the disease : Bernard trusts the medical world ; he is treated with AZT and interferon, and accepts the side effects of his treatment. Darek believes in living life to the fullest, and despite a recurrent hepathitis, has refused all kind of medical treatment so far.