CONTACT: Debra Williams
Diamond & Company Public Relations
212-247-3692
debra@diamondandcompany.com
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS
A Documentary by Tantra-zawadi
Filmed and Produced by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia
Now on YouTube.com
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi
(NEW YORK, NY) DECEMBER 7, 2009 — Brooklyn born performance poet/artist Tantra-zawadi, announced the release of a short documentary titled “A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS” today. Ms. Zawadi created this project in conjunction with Stony Brook University’s World AIDS Day banquet.
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS, shot on location in New York City and Los Angeles, features a commentary by Betty Makoni, the founder of Girl Child Network Worldwide and a Top 10 finalist for CNN’s 2009 Heroes Award, offers insights into the personal experience of those living with HIV/AIDS. Through art and activism, A Silent Genocide shows viewers how these individuals are striving to decrease the staggering numbers of new infections.
A Silent Genocide is directed by Ms. Zawadi and Oliver Covrett of XYAYX Multimedia who also edited and produced the film. Musical contributions for the project include Tut Burks and Xavier Kemp with artwork by Shanna Melton.
This is Tantra-zawadi’s third project to raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS. Her video “Scarlet Waters” was featured on the Product (RED) video wall as well as a PSA for Mark Herbert Productions/Betah and Associates.
Tantra-zawadi is an internationally known performance poet/recording artist and the author of “alifepoeminprogress.” She has performed her soul stirring life-poems to standing room audiences at venues all over the world; most recently at the Badilisha Poetry X-Change Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. Her latest projects include: “Girl – A Choreospective”, and collaborations such as The Love Planet EP by Collective Spirits, EARTHOLOGY by Floyd Boykin, Jr., Poetic Stimulus and The Liberation Sessions by Mwalim.
To view the documentary, A Silent Genocide and other videos by Ms. Zawadi, please visit www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi or her other websites at www.tantra-zawadi.com, www.myspace.com/tantrais.
For media inquiries and interview requests, contact:
Debra Williams
Diamond and Company
449 West 49th Street #3D
(212) 247-3692
A Silent Genocide: A Brief Insight into HIV/AIDS
A Documentary by Tantra-zawadi
Filmed and Produced by Oliver Covrett, XYAYX Multimedia
www.youtube.com/tantrazawadi
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REVIEWS:
“A Silent Genocide” is a single beginning to myriad of issues that we openly discard as normal occurrences that are a part of our daily lives such as grabbing a cup of coffee or catching a cab. We have real life to pay attention to before we are all hoodwinked into death; and this documentary seeks to change the mindset that we can just ignore it. This brings to light the realness of a murdering disease that has no day in court, but can be held accountable through knowledge and wisdom we gain from both victims and advocates for healthy and safe living. Thank you for this eye opening, heartfelt, humanitarian documentary Tantra-zawadi. Tell the truth!
-Tshombe
Founder & Host
Freedom Verse Cafe
Inspirational and motivational speaker
Life through poetry and verse
Tshombe’s Kai | Poetry
www.tshombethepoet.com
Official Homepage of Tshombe
“Breathtaking could easily be defined as the action of standing in the center of a vibrant yet extremely haunting work of art. Viewing the A.I.D.S. quilt in 1996 took my breath immediately because it forced me to realize that breathing beings once occupied these baby dresses and ruffled socks, football jerseys, sweaters, items that told of the character and beauty of those who transitioned because of A.I.D.S. It seemed there was no end to this memorial because my eyes could not define the edges no matter where I searched. It is now 2009 and I often wonder how many more fields this work could occupy, how many more memorials have been created as proof that a loved one really did exist, see, this is his/her shirt.
Watching “A Silent Genocide-A Brief Insight Into H.I.V./A.I.D.S. by, Tantra-Zawadi and Oliver Covrett is another testament to acknowledging the lives of those who live and have transitioned because of H.I.V./A.I.D.S. Time has turned this epidemic into another aspect of American culture instead of maintaining the urgency with which we should educate ourselves and our families for their protection. This documentary discusses the need for sensitivity when interacting with those who have life threatening illnesses. It also discusses a desire for life and gratitude for each day we are gifted, especially when you have been told your time is limited.
We are often made aware of the prevalence of H.I.V./A.I.D.S. in Africa but hearing the stories from Betty Makoni, founder of The Girl Child Network Worldwide, also provided a perspective that is not discussed enough. Someone living with H.I.V/A.I.D.S. in Africa acquires a stigma to their illness that puts them in a position where they have to fight their family to fight for their life. She discusses how the stress contributes to their early transition. I begin to wonder about the other side effects that the stigma can hold like a growing resentment towards the source of this infection and the people who turn their backs on those infected. The loneliness and pain causing depression and even suicide for many who may have never wanted to tell anyone they are H.I.V. positive. Parents must be in constant fear for their daughters because of the false belief that their virgin blood can cure H.I.V. and how the constant watch shapes their lives instantly and relinquishes any freedom they have as girls or families.
One major attribute that judgment lacks is humanity. Some people have flaws that are greater or more obvious than others and we often discuss them without concern for the effects it has on a person. At the end of the day they are the ones who have to stand in a mirror and defeat the stereotype, belittlement, hatred, and find the person they loved before the world told them it was wrong. As a society, we place people in categories of importance because there can be no superior without the inferior and it is the idea of being greater than another that some people need to validate their presence in the world. So people get H.I.V. /A.I.D.S. and society renders them inferior no matter how talented, intelligent, capable they are while they are living. Then they transition and become an example of what we don’t want to do so we can survive in this world.
More people need to do what Tantra~Zawadi and Oliver Covrett did by making this video. We should take time to consider the value of human lives including the lives of those left after a loved one transitions. We need to gather all these numbers and defeat them until the number of those infected are overpowered by the number of those educated about H.I.V./A.I.D.S., condoms, and self preservation no matter what we may face simply because we were created with a purpose that should be fulfilled. The greatest love offering one can give to another is the affirmation that their presence in this world is necessary. Art tells stories and empowers those who might not know how to voice their experience in the world.
“A Silent Genocide” is an artistic love offering and that is why it is important that this documentary is experienced by as many people as possible. The courage of those who told their personal experience with H.I.V. /A.I.D.S. will give someone else courage to tell their own stories. Their ability to smile and dance reminds us that their existence is greater than their circumstance.”
-Shanna T. Melton
www.PoeticSoulArts.com
“Wow! I was riveted from the start. “A Silent Genocide” is a documentary that’s so needed to wake up the masses to the reality of HIV/AIDS in a world where people find a false sense of solace by living in denial.”
-Bruce George, Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam.
”This documentary is a positive contribution toward stopping the whirling wind of the silent genocide. It is incredibly done! Passion and courage are visible. You got the right people, which I think, gave the entire documentary much power, a wider audience with strong message to send out. You made it real with real people, real story in a real world. Honest voice of courageous souls! Great contribution to our humanity, thanks Zawadi.”
“I am so very proud of you. I hope that your video reminds everyone that the AIDS crisis is not over and it affects everyone.”
-Michelle Williams
“This is an awesome video. I am very proud of you. You are an inspiration to us all. Your purpose is to live so that others can live. Your work is uplifting and full of hope. Thank you for all that you do. Please continue your journey for peace and knowledge.”
