Watch Deepsouth

Deepsouth is a documentary film released in 2012 that follows the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in the American South, a region heavily affected by the epidemic. The film is directed by Lisa Biagiotti and sheds light on the difficulties faced by people living with HIV/AIDS in the region, which is also known for its social and economic disparities.

The film begins with profiles of four HIV/AIDS-positive individuals who are living in rural areas of Mississippi and Louisiana. For them, treatment and support services are not readily available, and they are often isolated from the broader community. The film delves deep into the lives of these four individuals, offering a glimpse into their daily struggles and frustrations. It also highlights the prejudice and discrimination they face due to their condition, which adds to the misery they experience.

Along with the four individuals living with HIV/AIDS, a few other people are featured in the film, including medical professionals, advocates for HIV/AIDS services, and social workers. They explain the challenges faced by the southern United States when it comes to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Many of these challenges are rooted in the broader social and economic disparities present in the region, such as lack of access to healthcare, poverty, and stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

Throughout the film, one of the most striking aspects is the personal stories of the people living with HIV/AIDS. For instance, Josh, a young musician who was diagnosed with HIV ten years ago, talks about how difficult it is to find someone to date who is also positive. Another profiled individual, Monica, is living with both HIV and Hepatitis C and struggles to find a doctor who will treat her. These personal stories demonstrate the human side of the epidemic and make it clear that behind the statistics, there are real lives affected.

The documentary also provides a glimpse of the efforts being made by various organizations and individuals to combat HIV/AIDS in the American South. For instance, there is a scene in which a mobile testing van travels to a small town to provide free testing to those who wouldn't otherwise have access. The film also showcases advocacy organizations that are working towards increasing access to medication and treatment, as well as fighting to combat the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.

The cinematography in Deepsouth is excellent, and the attention to detail in each profiled individual's story is notable. The documentary is a poignant reminder of the ongoing reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and how it continues to affect countless lives in the United States, especially in areas such as the American South which are often overlooked.

In conclusion, Deepsouth is a sobering documentary that offers a deep insight into the plight of those living with HIV/AIDS in the American South, one of the regions that have been hit hardest by the epidemic. The film personalizes the challenges faced by many individuals and, for this reason, possesses a unique emotional authenticity in its storytelling. It carefully balances the despair and injustice of the current situation with the hope of the many individuals who are fighting against it. Indeed, the film reminds the audience that while the challenges to addressing HIV/AIDS in the American South may be formidable, it is a battle we must fight.

Deepsouth is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.