Jacqueline Rocha Côrtes

Jacqueline Rocha Côrtes is a 55 year old Brazilian transsexual woman who has been living with AIDS for the past 21 years. As a Human Rights activist and a militant for HIV-positive people, Jacque has had her life marked by struggles and achievements, including her role as a representative of the Brazilian government at the United Nations. Now married and a mother of two, Jacque lives in a small town, leading her life dedicated to motherhood and family. By tracking her daily reality and revisiting her story, the film addresses the diversity and shows the numerous challenges that have been disrupted by this extraordinary character, raising awareness on prejudice, homolesbotransphobia and gender identity.

Letter Beyond the Walls reconstructs the trajectory of HIV and AIDS with a focus on Brazil, through interviews with doctors, activists, patients and other actors, in addition to extensive archival material. From the initial panic to awareness campaigns, passing through the stigma imposed on people living with HIV, the documentary shows how society faced this epidemic in its deadliest phase over more than two decades. With this historical approach as its base, the film looks at the way HIV is viewed in today's society, revealing a picture of persistent misinformation and prejudice, which especially affects Brazil’s most historically vulnerable populations.