Double Dutch--Double Jeopardy

From its title to its presentation, Double Dutch-Double Jeopardy is a strangely disordered film that is uncomfortable to watch not because of its subject matter, but the way it's handled. The film opens (and closes) with shots of grade schoolers performing double dutch in the schoolyard. We then meet a group of elementary kids in class who listen to David Kamens, a 20-year-old with AIDS, talk about the AIDS virus. In the best segment of the film, the children ask questions which Kamens honestly and candidly answers. The thrust of Kamens' remarks concern the use of needles with drug injections and unprotected sex (this is the "double jeopardy" of the title). The children are then asked to give advice to the viewers--which they do in a very rote way, basically regurgitating back what they've heard, but haven't really understood. The most eerie and disturbing part of the film comes near the end when the class "performs" their AIDS rap song. Using cheerleader pyramids, dance movements, and loads of smiles, the kids yell out the individual letters "A," "I", "D," and "S" as if they're cheering on their school football team, and blithely sing about "cancer" "pneumonia," "unprotected sex" and other cheerful topics. What's wrong with this picture? What does "double dutch" have to do with the AIDS virus? Is it necessary to link AIDS with songs and games in order to teach elementary children? Is AIDS Prevention for Toddlers far behind? These are the questions that ran through my mind while watching the program. In terms of the technical quality of the video, producer/director Ginny Durrin has always produced sterling productions, with top-notch video and audio qualities, and Double Dutch-Double Jeopardy is no exception. However, I found this to be a tasteless and offensive approach to a serious subject which incorporates entertainment in an inappropriate, and sometimes meaningless, way. To be fair, I'll point out that other films I've had this kind of strong reaction to have gone on to win major awards at film festivals. Not recommended. (Available from: Durrin Productions, 1748 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20009.)