Poet's Film: Part of Solution to Florida AIDS Epidemic
August 19, 2009 • By Chrisnatha Derosier
The lights are low and "This is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan plays in the background. On a Thursday night at the Poet's Sanctuary at Indigo 7 Restaurant and Lounge in North Miami, Fl, poets of all skill levels and styles take the floor one after another.
The audience is blown away by the talent in the room, but nothing compares to the reaction brought on by Devin T. Robinson X.
He gives a unique performance, commanding the eyes and ears of every attendee as he treads the room for effect performing his signature piece- "Ah!"
"Ah!" is punctuated by the poet's savage-like roars, citing obstacles that African Americans have endured from segregation to Hurricane Katrina. Topped off by a spirited rendition of the famed "I Have A Dream" speech, he creates a very clear line of distinction between he and every other poet in the room.
The difference. This young activist doesn't recite poetry, he performs pieces to inspire.
Robinson, who started using poetry as a tool for activism 6 years ago, is on a mission to make a difference in his community and around the world. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he is destined to bring awareness to an epidemic plaguing South Florida: HIV/AIDS.
Every year in Florida, 4,000 HIV/AIDS cases are diagnosed. After New York and California, it is the state with the highest number of HIV/AIDS cases. Additionally, Broward County is the second in the list of counties for highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the state. Miami-Dade County is the first. Robinson wants to be part of the solution by helping to eliminate the problem. He has taken an ambitious step toward achieving his goal: an independent film, "God, Me….HIV?"
With a release date slated for World AIDS Day - December 1, 2009 - he brings a message of hope through a highly artistic interpretation of his words via the moving image. It will premiere at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
The film is inspired by his one-man show, which has encouraged nearly 1,000 individuals to get tested for the virus. With the wave of new HIV cases in the U.S. today, Robinson hopes that the film can inspire millions to confirm their HIV status.
Creatively presenting said one-man show, which takes the blame out of God's hands and places it in the common man's hands, the movie documents the Fort Lauderdale zip code 33311 and explains why it has one of the highest infection rates in the state of Florida.
With a release date slated for World AIDS Day - December 1, 2009 - he brings a message of hope through a highly artistic interpretation of his words via the moving image. It will premiere at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
The film is inspired by his one-man show, which has encouraged nearly 1,000 individuals to get tested for the virus. With the wave of new HIV cases in the U.S. today, Robinson hopes that the film can inspire millions to confirm their HIV status. Creatively presenting said one-man show, which takes the blame out of God's hands and places it in the common man's hands, the movie documents the Fort Lauderdale zip code 33311 and explains why it has one of the highest infection rates in the state of Florida.
It also portrays how Robinson's organization, AIDS Awareness Poets, Inc, works alongside other community-based organizations to help decrease these statistics.
Capitalizing on the audience turnout at the film release, Robinson said there will be free HIV testing conducted outside of the movie theater. This will propel the project from a mere film to becoming a growing movement.
"Normally when people are inspired, it dies quickly. This way, individuals can get tested that very night before the inspiration has left them," said Robinson, 25, a native of Fort Lauderdale.
For this advocate, there is a somewhat seamless connection between his, or any art form, and activism.
"The ability to tell a story allows people to understand a message. Most art forms are based around storytelling, and all activists are great storytellers," said Robinson.
With the showing of his independent film, Robinson hopes that it will be the one event that educates and encourages the most people to get tested in HIV history. His desire is for the world to see the efficacy and productivity of young minds, when given a chance to make a difference.
After the film is shown at theaters nationwide, Devin plans to take his initiative global.
He wishes to succeed the film with a book and, not only that, he plans to remake the documentary into a feature-length film with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role.
"I plan on sending the film to approximately 50 film festivals throughout the following year and a half. Once it gains a significant amount of attention, we will send it to Hollywood," said Robinson.
But, for now, Robinson's spouts a clear message of hope for those living with this disease:
You are still alive, so live!
Help someone by sharing your testimony.
Smile because HIV is not a death sentence
It's a Live-Your-Life-Better sentence
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