A few weeks ago, one of our friends at the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS told me about an incident that happened at a restaurant the previous day. She was talking with a few colleagues about HIV-related matters when they noticed a group that had been sitting next to them got up and re-located to another table outside.  A little while later, the restaurant manager told her that they had overheard the discussion and decided to move because they thought she and her colleagues might be infected.

It’s disappointing to hear these kinds of stories and it makes you realize how much ignorance and fear still exists, and how difficult it will be for the Baan Gerda kids in the future. Fortunately, the students who have been watching the film recently are far more open minded and accepting, none more so than at Phranakon Rajabhat University where we had 3 screenings.

There was one special moment that happened after a Q & A session that most of us will remember; Thai culture frowns upon any show of affection in public, so when one of the students gave Bla a hug it made a very strong statement, all the more so that she did it in front of 150 of her peers. Watch the video above to see the embarrassed reaction from Bla.

The screenings were only made possible because of the enthusiasm and understanding of Ajarn Dave and Dr Sirinan. They knew that it was something that the students could learn from and they worked hard to arrange the events and ensure the students attended. As Dave mentioned, the only minor disappointment was the reaction of some teachers who didn’t get it - “why are we showing it and what subject does it relate to?” This seems to be a commonly held view with schools in Thailand who generally avoid anything taboo or related to sex education.

The reaction from the students was incredibly supportive, especially from the young lady in the video who stood up and so eloquently addressed Bla “We know that you want us to understand you and your point of view, and now you've done it. Everyone in this room has changed their point of view of HIV infected people.”

It’s a sharp contrast to the ignorant and bigoted attitudes of the adults in the restaurant who had obviously decided that it wasn’t safe to sit next to people who were talking about HIV.

Mike

Our recent media event and VIP screening of the film was held at the Enigma Theatre, Paragon in Bangkok to coincide with World AIDS Day. As part of the programme some of the children from Baan Gerda performed a short dance routine for the special guests and press. Tata Young kindly volunteered her time to support the project and chatted to the kids on stage, and also spoke to the audience about the stigma faced by people living with HIV.

MC Kipsan Beck, a long-term supporter of Baan Gerda, ensured that the tone of the event was upbeat and the main message was one of hope. Dr. Anthony Pramualratana from the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS spoke about this year’s World AIDS Day theme; 0-0-0 or zero AIDS related deaths, zero new HIV transmission and zero stigma and discrimination.

Support from Major Cineplex, Krungsri Bank and Coke allowed us to hold the event and organise the current film tour taking place around Thailand. The Mangpong DVD store chain are selling the Living with the Tiger DVD (with English subtitles) and donating all profits back to the outreach campaign and Baan Gerda. It can also be purchased from 38 shops around the country or their website 

Other guests included His Excellency Ron Hoffman, Canadian Ambassador to Thailand, Khun Vicha Phoolworaluck-Chairman of the Major Cineplex Group, Karl Morsbach founder of Baan Gerda, Kittiyajai Treeakewijit-Chairperson of the Pongsup Group Ltd. (Mangpong) and Dan Harsono-Chief Marketing Officer, Krungsri Bank.

Photos from the event

The score for Living with the Tiger was a collaboration between composers John Califra in New York, and Anthony Drennan in Ireland.

I asked John what attracted him to this project...

"I think that this is obviously, a worthy and interesting undertaking - one of those rare opportunities for a composer to involve himself in something of genuine value. There are depths of tragedy and there's great hope and humanity - all focused through the eyes of these kids. Personally, I regard the documentary film score as presenting certain creative challenges for the composer that are more interesting than those of dramatic films.

What were the challenges in putting the score together?

"For a music score to do this film the justice it deserves it must do more that simply "work"  or even, work well.  The music must somehow convey the humanity which lies at the heart of the film - and do it in a way that is simple, direct and memorable. The music needs to articulate the lives and backgrounds of the children and the effect which their participation in this project has had upon them.  This, of course, is something separate from the opera.  The difficult part is to infuse the score with the necessary relevance, beauty and pathos while not diminishing the impact of the opera."

Our first screenings in Thailand played to packed houses and generated a lot of interest in the film and Baan Gerda. It was our first opportunity to connect with an audience that predominantly had no connection with HIV.

Nearly 150 people filled the Foreign Correspondents Club in central Bangkok, with many people coming forward to offer their support and suggestions for future screenings. Photos from the FCCT

The lovely Patravadi Theatre is located on the Thonburi side of the river and we were a little worried that it might prove inconvenient for some people to reach. Our concerns were brushed aside when too many people turned up and, despite setting out some extra seating, several people had to stand. Incredibly, they stayed to watch the whole film standing! Photos from the Patravadi Theatre.

The events were well covered in the media including this article in The Nation and several websites & blogs such as Thailand Land of Smiles

Thanks to the British Embassy for sponsoring the screenings and the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS for their help with the organisation and arrangements.