One hundred documentaries, animations and movies dealing with the issue of HIV/AIDS in Africa will be shown in an event called African Documentary 2003, Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 in Tokyo.
The event, hosted by the African Visual Form, a nonprofit organization, will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sept. 28) at Tokyo Women's Plaza, behind the United Nations University.
Kenji Shiraishi, secretary general of the event secretariat, said HIV and AIDS are unavoidable when thinking and talking about today's Africa. The films, which vary in length from 2 minutes to 90 minutes, show not only the lives of HIV carriers and AIDS sufferers in Africa, but also Africa's multifaceted and profound culture, he said.
The virus is so rampant in Africa that it is shaking the foundations of several countries. In Botswana, for example, over 30 percent of the population is said to be carrying HIV. But the event is also relevant to Japan, which is the only developed country where the number of HIV carriers is increasing, he said.
The fee for one program is 500 yen. A one-day ticket is 2,000 yen, and a ticket good for all programs is 3,000 yen. Students up to high-school age and people over 65 can enter for free.
Tokyo Women's Plaza (Jingumae 5-53-67, Shibuya-ku) is a 12-minute walk from Shibuya station and seven minutes from Omotesando subway station. For more information, call (03) 5467-1711.