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Air: The True Memoirs of Gil C. Alicea Screening

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Screening: 7PM

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Title: Air: The True Memoirs of Gil C. Alicea
62 minutes

Synopsis:

The movie, "Air" is a documentary based on the life of a Latin youth raised in the South Bronxof New York whose parents contracted the HIV/AIDS virus in 1995 when he was just 15 years of age. Since it was a taboo to mention HIV/AIDS in public Gil C. Alicea lived a recluse and tormented life growing up with parents afflicted with the disease. Gil became the HIV/AIDS poster boy of America when his story was made public, inspiring him to tell his story.

Gil's life encounter inspired the book "The Air Down Here", the book documents the struggles of being raised by parents with the HIV/AIDS virus. Gil C. Alicea received worldwide recognition for his book after appearing with Diane Sawyer introducing the documentary, "The Air Down Here" where it was aired on 20/20.

Soon after the release of his book, "The Air Down Here", Gil C. Alicea vanished from world view to reappear with the Movie, "Air", accounts based on the documentary of his life. As the movie unfolds, it elaborates on the cruelties endured not only mentally but also physically on a daily basis, never mentioned in the book.

Biography:

Hilton Ariel Ruiz is a native of New York City's lower east side. Mr. Ruiz always had a keen interest in cinema/photography since he first saw Scorsese's Raging Bull. After taking his first high school cinema course, his interest began to seriously develop into an obsession. It was at a local New York Film Institute where Mr. Ruiz received accolades for the most successful short film.

What particularly interested Hilton was the "picture" of film. He began the study of photography at the Queens Borough College and the Fashion Institute of Technology. It was there that his craft was honed and where his interest grew more. His education and passion for cinema grew as he attended New York University in the Cinematic Arts program. In addition, audited courses at the School of Visual Arts where he expanded his knowledge and appreciation for the language of motion picture film making and photography.

Hilton has produced and directed several narrative fiction and documentaries that are in distribution and currently has a book being published with Power House and distributed by Random House on Times Square during the red light district era of the early 80's. Hilton has recently made several television appearances to discuss his new documentary film Air, a riveting story about a teenager who was raised by parents who contracted HIV. Currently Hilton is working on the next installment of his book series of Times Square and developing his next narrative fiction (horror) feature film.

He has thorough understanding of the business of film and has built strong relationships in the filmmaking community. He has presently transitioned into feature film development and production, working with various screenwriters and producers on projects.