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The Smiths of Salt Lake City were living, by their own account, an idyllic life. In Steve, Kim
had found the man of her dreams a pillar of the Mormon community and together they
were raising their sons with faith. Secure in their church, their community, and in their love
for each other, the Smiths had it all.
Then, on the couple's ninth anniversary, Steve revealed that he had been having sexual
encounters with men. Three years later, Kim discovered that she was HIV positive; soon
after Steve developed AIDS.
Tasha Oldham's extraordinary portrayal of "The Smith Family " as it struggles
with Steve's shattering revelations debuts Tuesday, June 25, 10 p.m. ET (check for rebroadcasts) on PBS. The film opens the 15th Anniversary season of P.O.V., television's
longest-running series of independent, non-fiction films. P.O.V. continues on Tuesdays
through August 27, with additional Fall and Winter specials.
As the Smiths confront the physical and emotional toll of Steve's infidelity and of AIDS, Kim
quickly becomes the family's moral heart. "The Smith Family " is, in many
ways, her story. Despite her own family's disapproval and Steve's struggle with the
Church as well as her own feelings of betrayal and anger Kim makes an unlikely choice to
stay with Steve. Her determination to forgive, and to keep the family together, sets the
Smiths on an uncommon path of reconciliation.
But it is a heartbreakingly difficult path. Steve himself becomes increasingly self-absorbed
as he struggles with his shame and guilt. First attributing his behavior to childhood sexual
abuse, he seeks refuge in Mormon doctrine on homosexuality and family life. When Steve
eventually comes to terms with his homosexuality, it creates an enormous strain on his
Church standing. Kim faces all the responsibilities of caring for Steve, who is sick with
AIDS, and for running the family. Inspired by their mother, the boys decide to keep faith
with both Mormonism and their Dad despite the apparent contradictions. But the boys are
growing up, and Kim feels she is facing a lonely future especially in light of her own HIV
status. As Steve's health declines, Kim and Steve undergo a wrenching affirmation of faith
and love in the face of their shared tragedy.
"This is an emotionally powerful story, and I had to walk a fine line in order not to
manipulate the audience one way or the other," says producer/director Oldham.
"I felt it was important for the Smiths to tell their own story, and to let the audience
have its own reaction. The heart of the story is Kim's decision, which I found extraordinary,
to keep the family together."
The effort to stay together in such trying circumstances would pull most families apart, and
the family's candidness throughout this heart-wrenching yet uplifting documentary is
uncommonly brave. Mixing intimate interviews with footage of family events and private
interactions, "The Smith Family " is not a documentary about the Mormon faith,
AIDS or homosexuality. Rather it offers a dramatic portrait of one family's extraordinary
response to extraordinary circumstances.
BUY THE VIDEO
To purchase or rent this program for home or educational purposes, please contact:
SmallTown Productions
8569 Pickford Street
Los Angeles, CA 90035
URL: http://www.thesmithfamilyfilm.com
310-254-5754
Email: smtownprod@aol.com
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