New Documentary ‘5B’ Chronicles History of San Francisco HIV/AIDS Ward

There's another story about the AIDS epidemic set to hit theaters.

Verizon Media has acquired and will distribute the documentary film 5B, the company announced on Tuesday, which chronicles the 1983 opening of San Francisco General's ward for patients living with HIV as well as the nurses and caregivers who provided compassionate care to HIV-positive patients at a time when an AIDS diagnosis was considered terminal and people didn't know how the virus was transferred. Actress-activist Julianne Moore helped announce the doc at Newfronts.

"We decided that if we can't save these folks, we're going to touch them," one caregiver said of their approach to care, which included physical contact with patients at a time when most people would be unwilling to approach someone with HIV.

"This was a tangible thing you could do: wash them, put moisturizer on them," another caregiver said. "You were allowed to love your patients." The film will chronicle the care practices, based in humanity and holistic well-being, that staff practiced at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

The film will premiere in June 2019 during L.A. Pride and then will have a theatrical release. Verizon Media will also distribute the film to its global network of over one billion people.

"We believe in empowering and bringing communities together, and elevating voices that deserve to be heard," Guru Gowrappan, CEO of Verizon Media, said in a statement. "The heroes of 5B will continue to inspire the next generation of leaders and Verizon Media is proud to help champion that mission across its global footprint in support of this groundbreaking film."

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