Jericho's Walls Are Falling

This page includes the trailer, the official synopsis, and a link to the web site of the new HIV/AIDS-themed feature film, Jerricho's Walls are Falling, brought to our attention by ActionEqualsLife.com member Kim Wright.


Trailer for 'Jericho's Walls Are Falling' A new drama feature film about HIV / AIDS starring Jason Flemyng, Gideon Turner, Winnie Sanyu-Sseruma, Patrick Robinson

Official Synopsis

Jericho (Gideon Turner) seems to have it all at twenty eight years of age. Good looking, popular, with a promising career ahead of him, his future appears to be a bright one. But one month after coming back from a holiday with friends in the Mediterranean he receives some news that will change his life forever. Jericho tests HIV positive. Before he even comes to terms with what has happened to him he realises he must tell one of his close friends with whom he recently had unprotected sex to also get tested. Jericho soon discovers that despite the virus not being the death sentence it once was, the stigma a positive person faces are very much the same.

Though his friend tests negative her subsequent reaction makes it almost impossible to return to his old social circle and he soon finds out exactly who his real friends are. Jericho quickly discloses to his parents but they are unable to offer him much in the way of practical help with him being more of an emotional pillar for them rather than the other way round.

Jericho finds support from a number of other people he meets. He builds up a strong relationship with his nurse Joanne, who regularly takes his blood counts and finds the honest approach from his HIV Doctor Patrick French very helpful but he gains the most strength from the other positive people he comes into contact with at a London support group for people living with HIV. It is here that he meets many others including Winnie Sanyu Sseruma (Played by Herself) and Pete (Jason Flemyng), both of whom have had the virus for over 20 years. Above all Jericho draws strength from the 14 year old Sarah, who copes not only with the virus but cannot breathe unless aided by a portable oxygen tank which she must carry with herself at all times.

Jericho slowly learns that it should not be up to the virus to define his life, but that he should take control over how much the virus defines him. The impact on his health and social life however cannot be denied and after a serious illness he is faced with the choice of either taking daily medication in order to survive or risk his health worsening to the point where he will become vulnerable to serious infections that he will not be able to fight off. Jericho realises that his medication comes with a price as finds it a struggle to cope with its side effects.

Jericho gradually re-builds his life and seeks a new relationship but soon discovers that HIV and dating are not always compatible, although love can come from unexpected quarters. The story follows Jericho’s life over a period of 5 years, exploring the implications of HIV, mentally, physically and socially on Jericho’s life and those closest to him. It pays special attention to the kind of social stigma that the virus can create, especially in the young heterosexual community. Finally he learns to take back and own the word ‘positive.’

Jericho - ‘You can only look at your life out of your own window’

Michael - ‘True, but sometimes when you do, remember to look at the world….’

Visit the film's official web site here.