| The Gift | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Louise Hogarth |
| Written by | Louise Hogarth |
| Release date(s) | 2003 |
| Running time | USA:62 min |
| IMDb profile | |
The Gift is a 2003 documentary by filmmaker Louise Hogarth documenting the phenomenon of deliberate HIV infection; bugchasing. The film follows the stories of two "bug chasers" who seeking "the gift" of HIV infection. Interviews are also conducted with AIDS activist and author, Walt Odets, PhD, and HIV positive and negative men. The film explores the normalization and glamorization of HIV/AIDS and discusses the isolation and division caused by HIV status in the gay community.
Synopsis
Doug Hitzel, a young man, reveals that after a year of unsuccessful dating he gave in to unprotected sex in an attempt to fit in; he is then seen crying. Kenboy, another young man, explains he moved to an LA sex house with sex parties and was relieved to finally catch HIV; from then on he would not have to worry about getting it or not, or using a condom (failing to think of the possibility of catching other STIs). He now runs a barebacking website, and is physically ill. A group of older men, who did not get HIV on their own volition, explain how they lost a lot of their friends and lovers to HIV, and how they do not want a relationship because they do not want their boyfriend having to bury them too. They also talk about the medication they take, and about the side-effects - namely cardiac attacks, which seem to have replaced direct death from the virus. Advertising for prevention is also exposed for being too positive and showing images of attractive men with AIDS.
