Sex Positive

here! Films, the theatrical distribution and worldwide sales division of here! Networks, announced today on World AIDS Day it has acquired North American distribution rights to the documentary, "Sex Positive," from the director Daryl Wein and produced by Wein and David Oliver Cohen. here! Films acquired this documentary from Ro*Co Films, and its sister company Regent Releasing will distribute the film starting March 13, 2009 in select U.S. cities.

"Sex Positive," Wein's first feature-length documentary, made its world premiere in competition at the 2008 SXSW Film Festival and went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at LA Outfest in 2008. Wein began his promising film career after graduating from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and went on to direct the short film, "Unlocked," starring Olivia Thirlby (Juno), which had its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival."Daryl's insight into the life and work of Richard Berkowitz explores the explicit bravery of an unrecognized activist in an era of fear and uncertainty," said Mark Reinhart, West Coast General Manager and Executive Vice President Distribution and Acquisitions, Regent.

'Sex Positive' carries a vital message still today about an epidemic that's hitting American youth hard, as HIV rates have nearly doubled between 2001 and 2006." Reinhart continues, "Regent continues our support of emerging filmmakers like Daryl with a message of education and responsibility around World AIDS Day.""Sex Positive" explores the life of Richard Berkowitz, a revolutionary AIDS activist in the 1980's, whose incomparable contribution to the invention of safe-sex practices has never been aptly credited. Berkowitz along with Dr. Joseph Sonnabend (a controversial virologist and AIDS doctor) and beloved activist/musician Michael Callen emerged from the epicenter of the epidemic as community leaders, demanding a solution to the problem before anyone else would pay attention. Through the eyes of Berkowitz, the audience is made witness to a graphic testimony of sex, death and betrayal, while placing the invention of "safe sex" in a fresh and compelling context."Both in government and the gay population, the widespread silence during the early years of the AIDS crisis is absolutely shocking," said Daryl Wein, director of "Sex Positive."

"People my age were not born of the era in which the crisis of AIDS forced behavioral change." Wein continues to say, "I'm proud to be releasing 'Sex Positive' through here! Films as I feel it is my duty to challenge the complacency of my generation by instilling the values of those forgotten heroes."The acquisition deal for "Sex Positive" was negotiated by Mark Reinhart, West Coast General Manager and Executive Vice President Distribution and Acquisitions and Annie Roney, Founder and Managing Director for Ro*Co Films International. For more information about the film, please visit http://www.sexpositive-themovie.com/ or information about the director, please visit http://www.darylwein.com/