Producer/director's, Stephanie Holman's documentary Rules of Dying follows her family through the final years of her husband's life. The narrative combines family photos and videos with journal entries, reminiscences and conversations.With unwavering candor, Stephanie, her two daughters ages 15 and three years old and husband Michael unravel complex layers of emotion. someone they know. Countless artists have been moved to make art directly influenced by their experiences with AIDS. "If you are an artist or performer and you or your colleagues are dying of A I D S , there is no question that this is going to have an impact on your work." says Oscapella. "It's not entertainment--it's life and death." WHAT'S HAPPENING The cultural programs w i l l include a vast array of provocative visual and performing arts. Here is a sample of some of the events, performances, screenings and exhibitions that w i l l take place in conjunction with the conference. ONE W O R L D SCREEN FESTIVAL Still photograph from Positive Twenties, a documentary focussing on a group of men in their 20s who are living with HIV and AIDS. They come together by participating in a weekly support group in Los Angeles. By sharing their experiences, these young men shed light on the physical and psychological challenges associated with coming to terms with a life-tl\reatening illness. The One World Screen Festival features more than 50 films and videos that represent a wide range of perspectives from around the world. Festival director Ghent, himself a critically acclaimed filmmaker, explains he wants "to give as many filmmakers as possible the chance to get their point of view across." The selection of films and videos include both full-length features, such as Jeffrey and Zero Patients, and lower-budget, often more controversial portrayals of A I D S . Titles to watch for include: Side by Side, a documentary about two Zimbabwean women and their struggle against A I D S : Tested, about a young man who undergoes the traumatic experience of having an H I V test and World and Time Enough, a romantic comedy that won the People's Choice Award at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Christmas at Starcross, by Robert Elfstrom. features a community that adopts babies with A I D S . Positive Twenties is a documentary about a group of men in their 20s. all of whom are living with H I V and A I D S and Rules of Dying is a documentary following the producer/director's family through the final years of her husband's life. The Screen Festival takes place at Robson Square Conference Centre and Pacific Cinematheque. Tickets are available at the door and through TicketMaster at 280-4444. THEATRE A N D D A N C E FESTIVAL Theatre highlights include local playwright C o l i n Thomas' critically acclaimed play. Sex is my Grandmother Religion, and Lani T. Montreal's play M y and I. performed by Toronto's National Filipino Association. Both plays deal with A I D S and how it affects families. Ballet B . C . w i l l also perform as part of the festival. A l l performances w i l l take place at the Playhouse Theatre. ART EXHIBITION The Robson Square Art Exhibition w i l l feature a wide range of works, including paintings by local artists Joe Average and John Ferrie. A l s o on display w i l l be Quebec artist Guaitan Lacroix's series A Day in the Life of an AIDS Patient. and photographer Jake Peters' A I D S Conference retrospective. Other highlights w i l l include a poster exhibit from the French group Artis: and quilt, photos, crafts and paintings from Kenya. The Vancouver Art Gallery is exhibiting General Idea, Infections in conjunction with the conference. This installation Barbara Johnston is a Vancouver freelance editor and writer. For more information on the cultural programs, call 606-7812. piece was the last work completed by the collective General Idea before two of the three members--Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal--died of AIDS-related illness in 1994. PUBLIC FORUMS The Public Forums feature eminent conference speakers and give people the opportunity to follow conference developments and ask questions. Free to the public, all forums take place at the Robson Conference Centre. For information call 606-7812. OTHER EVENTS A variety of events w i l l be taking place at venues throughout Vancouver. Various commercial galleries around Vancouver w i l l be exhibiting art related to A I D S , there w i l l be a fashion show and M o t o w n Revue at the C o m m o d o r e ; the AIDS Project by Britannia Senior Secondary students w i l l be on display on the steps o f the Vancouver A r t G a l l e r y and the Arts C l u b Theatre w i l l perform Brad Fraser's play Poor Superman, as Tile arts community a