RESEAUX TV Series [Cote d’Ivoire]

This is an episodic drama series that addresses the current HIV situation and challenges in an entertaining way for Cote d’Ivoire. The series shows how the country’s fast pace toward recovery, modernity and success brings a new HIV challenge as a recent study shows that more adults, especially those over 40 years old, are the most affected by HIV. The series also demonstrates that current communication between husbands and wives is failing, and the series then goes on to explore why this is and how improved communication is beneficial as far as promoting safe behaviors and reducing HIV new infections.

The series explores the idea that a person’s wealth, level of success, age, or sexual orientation do not matter when it comes to risk. Rather, what matters is how a person’s behavior today will affect his/her entire future because behind each incidence of unprotected sex lies a suite of consequences, including HIV/AIDS infection.

The first season includes six episodes, with an average length of 21 minutes each:

• Episode 1: Jean Yves seems to have everything that could make a man happy: a good job, a loving wife and children, longtime friends, and projects. In his search for pleasure, will Jean Yves put the stability of his family and his marriage at risk?Will Sara be able to deal with her husband’s infidelity and protect her health?
• Episode 2: Nina, Jean Yves, Anita, Sara, Cyril, Francois all belong to one voluntary sexual network, or are connected to it.Which of them is HIV positive and doesn’t know it and is involuntarily passing HIV on to his or her sexual partners?
• Episode 3: Will François overcome his fear of HIV, get tested, and support Bintou, who is HIV positive?Will François allow his prejudices against people living with HIV to get the upper hand and cause him to break up with Bintou? Left alone by her husband, will Sara succumb to Jean-Paul’s advances to get even with her husband for his infidelity?
• Episode 4: Sex – a springboard to social success or a means of transmitting HIV for all and a cause of divorce for married couples? What are the values of Ivorian society?
• Episode 5: Will François’ decision to get tested for HIV arouse in Jean Yves greater awareness of the risks he is taking with his many sexual partners?What impact will François’ test result have on his relationship with Bintou and with his group of friends?
• Episode 6: François is HIV negative, which makes Jean Yves feel better about his risky sexual behavior.What will be the consequences for Jean Yves of his willfully risky sexual behavior?What will finally make things click for Jean Yves so that he saves his marriage and protects himself from HIV?Is there any future for Francois and Bintou?

Source: Johns Hopkisn University Center for Communicaiton Programs

Date of Publication: March 25, 2019