Luang Prabang, Lao PDR – The partnership of two ex-pat filmmakers living in Luang Prabang, together with a group of young local actors, has produced the first movie that addresses the ever-increasing spread of HIV/AIDS “You Can Stop It!”

At the present time, Laos is said to have a very low HIV-prevalence rate of 0.2%; however, in reality, it is certain that the actual rate is much higher. Overall, there is a widespread stigma concerning HIV and a very low rate of testing for the virus. The most recent national Lao Social Indicator Survey (2011 – 2012) reported that only 30% of men and 27% of women interviewed had comprehensive information relevant to prevention of the HIV virus.

The profile of the Lao PDR is rapidly changing, with increased migration to neighbouring countries and, internally, migration from countryside villages to cities. With the coming of the ASEAN economic community and the expected influx of people seeking work in the Lao PDR, the risk of contracting the HIV virus will be even greater.

“What was protecting the country is not there anymore,” said Pascal Stenier, country coordinator for UNAIDS. Young people in Laos are at a particularly high risk. Within this changing profile, it is essential they learn to protect themselves.

The film tells the story of Dok (Lao for ‘flower’) and Xai (Lao for ‘man’), who are engaged to be married. Xai leaves Dok and their village to study at university for four years. He wants to be faithful only to her, but one night, enticed by a college friend, he gets drunk and spends a night with a glamourous nightclub singer. As a result, he unknowingly becomes infected with HIV/AIDS and, on his return home, infects his fiancee, Dok.

Dr. Phanomsay PHAKAN, MD, MS, Deputy Director of Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital, LAOS, who appears as himself in the film, explains to Dok and Xai how people become infected with HIV/AIDS and how this can be avoided by using condoms.

Finally, after many problems and setbacks along the way, the story comes to a happy ending. Dok and Xai go through an emotional journey and discover the reality of their situation with their love intact.

“You Can Stop It!” is a ‘feel-good’ movie, showing how this life-threatening virus can be overcome by prevention, by recognition and by treatment. Through the use of puppet characters, this ‘text book’ information and advice is delivered in such a deeply touching and humorous way that audiences enjoy it and come to understand the film’s message: Prevention is the key and although HIV/AIDS is scary and life-threatening, by facing up to it and tackling one’s own fears, “You Can Stop It!”

The film is in spoken Lao, with English subtitles.

Claus Haumer (actor and director), who conceived the idea for the film, created the puppets and directed the project, worked in close partnership with Adri Berger (filmmaker and photographer), who filmed and co-produced it. Four talented Lao actors (Sinakhone Keosavanh, Sengdao Bounsavanh,Seng Yang and Anousith Phonesavat animated the puppets and provided the characters’ voice-overs.

The reaction of audiences attending private screenings has been one of great enthusiasm. “You Can Stop it” has the support of UNAIDS, the Lao Ministry of Health, and Save the Children. The Lao Red Cross is featuring the film in its World AIDS Day event to be held in Vientiane on December 1. Current plans are to dub “You Can Stop It” in both Hmong and Khmu, both of which are widely spoken in throughout Laos. It is hoped that international interest will lead to distribution in other countries.