Jerichos Walls Are Falling - Background

‘Jericho’s Walls Are Falling’ was first conceived as a drama project in 2004 by The Gutted Film and Theatre Company, a north London based organisation dedicated to producing new and exciting work that explore theme’s that impact social and political arenas. The aim of the company has always been to entertain, inform and most importantly educate its audience to the subject matter that it presents. The screenplay was picked up by Freestyle Productions in June 2008 and a promotional video was shot in October 2008. The story is based entirely on the true experiences of those who live with HIV on a daily basis and the promotional shoot involved 15 HIV positive individuals working in key roles both in front and behind the camera. The production was also supported by a number of HIV organisations including Positively Women, The Terrence Higgins Trust and Straight Talk. Everyone involved in the promotional section of this film gave their services free of charge.

Jericho’s journey is not only a gripping drama but his story is also an educational one for those wanting to learn more about the complex issues and stigma that can face those living with HIV. The letters HIV and the word AIDS are now so easily dismissed in the media that it shows how complacent many have become in their attitudes towards this disease. It is all too easily viewed as a thing of the past and too many mistakenly view the current medication, which can control the advance of the virus, as a cure. No cure currently exists for HIV, though the most effective cure against the stigma of the virus is education and greater awareness, two things this film will help to achieve.

Though there has always been a small trickle of documentaries on the AIDS virus over the years many of these have focused on the epidemic in Africa. While such programmes are to be commended and are well intentioned, for a film to have an impact in a progressive European country and to appeal to those most at risk in the western world, it needs to be set within that environment and show the journey of a life that its target audience can relate to. Previous dramas on HIV have rarely told the story from a heterosexual perspective and when they have have frequently pandered to negative stereo types, or as part of a ‘soap’, where the sole objective has never been to explore the issues of HIV.

Jericho himself comes into contact with a wide range of characters, of different races and sexual orientation, all of whom have their own stories and experiences to relate to him. With the increase of HIV in the heterosexual population forever increasing and younger people still taking risks with their health, the time for a new film about the impacts of HIV socially and mentally and physically is well overdue. Through the many people that Jericho meets one very important lesson learned is that everyone’s journey with HIV and consequently the way it impacts their lives is different.

For some it is a manageable inconvenience, but for others it has far more challenging and deadly repercussions. Each person owns their own experience of living with HIV/AIDS and no two stories are ever completely alike. The issue of medication is also a strong one which warrants continual examination. Many previous drama productions on the topic were made either before HIV medication came out or when it was very much an unknown quantity. Now far more is known about the side effects and the treatment options available. The film explores these and many other issues. 

If you would like to support this production in any way please contact Dan on support@freestyleproductions.co.uk 

Latest News & Events

Monday 1st December (World AIDS day) ‘Jericho’s Walls Are Falling’ Launch/Screening/Fundraiser Party.
Venue: Sway Bar, 61-65 Great Queen Street London WC2B 5BZ (t. 020 7404 6114 e. info@swaybar.co.uk w. www.swaybar.co.uk)
Time: 6pm till 3am (Sway happy hour 5-7pm) Look forward to the first screening of the trailer as well as scenes from the film. Also live music, interviews with cast and production team, an exciting auction and raffle, comedy and top DJs into the early hours for those that don’t have work the following morning… or just don’t care. RSVP production@danstyles.co.uk for attendance.

Tuesday 20th October Shooting complete on the promotional shoot for ‘Jericho’s Walls are Falling’: 8 shoot days, 30 crew, 54 cast and 17 hours of footage.