It Will Always End in the End

What is it like to live with HIV today?

This is the question explored with sensitivity in the short film It Will Always End in the End, the first documentary by Nancy Pettinicchio.

The film opens with a portrait of profound vulnerability. Gabriel shares his personal journey toward accepting his HIV-positive status, as well as his desire to learn about other lived realities.

Through a skillful use of mise en abyme, the film weaves in archival footage captured by pioneering figures in the field. By reactivating these images on screen, the work pays tribute to the activist artists who paved the way for the fight against HIV in Quebec. Shot in the 1990s, these images carry a striking, powerful authenticity.

Echoing this aesthetic, VHS-inspired animation invites us to listen closely to new voices. The arrangement of colorful speech bubbles evokes an intimate, intergenerational talking circle, into which the audience is privileged to be invited. Through this choral approach, the diversity of testimonies highlights the uniqueness of each lived experience and the ways in which individuals reclaim their own narratives.

It Will Always End in the End reminds us that our society remains deeply marked by serophobia. Art, activism, and mutual support continue to be essential acts of resistance in dismantling prejudices embedded in our collective imagination and in envisioning a more inclusive future. Without seeking to offer closure, the film sustains a living discourse—deeply rooted in hope and resilience—and demonstrates that the struggle is far from over.

Anouk Vallières
Head of Educational Activities and
Programming Coordinator
Plein(s) Écran(s)