2017 年 54 巻 2 号 p. 182-204
The objective of this paper is to examine the evolving activities of support groups for HIV-positive people in Northern Thailand. The study is based on observations made during the authorʼs documentary film production process. HIV-positive people have been studied in both academic papers and films, and this paper examines both. Previous research on HIV support groups has examined topics such as self-governance [Tanabe 2008; 2012] and HIV-positive communities. However, few studies have looked at the issue from an everyday activities perspective after 2010, and there are no clear details regarding how people in these communities manage everyday life.
This paper also examines how the relatedness that was newly formed through the production of the film, Weaving the Web of Life Together Today and for Tomorrow, resulted in an HIV support group. In this context, a comparative analysis of two groups, an HIV support group under public hospital management and an independent grassroots support group, is conducted. In conclusion, the paper posits that the creation of living space is essential for a support group to maintain its relations. A living foundation for HIV-positive people is needed to construct a network through cooperative work and everyday conversation. This paper explores the process of creating relationships through the production of a documentary film.