Didier Lestrade’s recent memoir, Mémoires, sheds light on his remarkable life journey, from rural beginnings to becoming a prominent advocate in the fight against HIV. On March 21, 2025, Lestrade, who is openly HIV positive, highlighted the troubling trend of stagnant HIV infection rates in France—a reality he believes is often ignored by younger generations.
Using a nostalgic soundtrack of “Never Knew Love Like This Before,” Lestrade unveils personal anecdotes that trace his life along the evolving landscape of HIV awareness and activism. Having co-founded Act Up in 1989, Lestrade recalls the early days of activism as essential yet exhausting, a sentiment common among veteran advocates. "We served as guinea pigs,” he reflected on the toxic treatments of the early 2000s, contrasting with today’s array of effective and less harmful medications. His memoir paints a picture of resilience, urging newcomers to not overlook the importance of ongoing awareness.
“Normally, we should be in a position where there is less and less transmission because people like me have no viral load anymore. And there are so many treatments available for HIV prevention that the number of AIDS cases should be decreasing,” Lestrade explained during his appearance on Tout Public. This statement resonates deeply as it underscores a disconnect between scientific advancements and societal complacency.
Lestrade stresses that most individuals living with HIV are now over the age of 50, resulting in a perception among the youth that the issue is in the past. "There’s a tendency for young people to think that all of this is behind us,” he observed, calling for renewed efforts to engage younger individuals in ongoing prevention strategies.
Alongside Lestrade, author Erik Orsenna presented his new book, Ces fleuves qui coulent en nous (The Rivers That Flow Within Us), which draws a compelling parallel between the health of the Earth and the human body. Orsenna emphasizes that just as we must care for our planet, we must also prioritize our physical well-being, as they are intrinsically linked. "If the environment is doing poorly, the plant world will suffer. If the plant world suffers, there will be more animals, including humans. We are in solidarity,” he stated.
This philosophical intermingling of ecology and humanity beautifies the narrative shared between the two authors, who exchanged thoughts not only on literature but also on the garden they both cultivate. For Lestrade, this garden is a sanctuary that offers balance in his life, helping him cope with the stresses of advocacy and literature.
A key highlight of this season is the seventh installment of the Séries Mania festival, which continues to attract fans of serialized storytelling. This event, held in Lille, is a gathering place for enthusiasts eager to explore new narratives and characters. Among the anticipated titles is Alain Chabat’s adaptation of the beloved character, Astérix, in a series titled Astérix, Le Combat des Chefs, boasting star-studded voice talent including Gilles Lellouche, Anaïs Demoustier, and Jérôme Commandeur.
Further enriching the festival this year are three geopolitical dramas, one of which, titled M. Le fils du siècle, focuses on the life of Benito Mussolini, while another—The Deal—delves into Iranian-American negotiations surrounding nuclear arms. Additionally, the France Télévisions project Kaboul sheds light on the evacuation of Afghanistan’s capital, an important and timely narrative featuring actors Jonathan Zaccaï and Jeanne Goursaud.
With Lestrade's memoir urging a rethink of HIV awareness and Orsenna’s reflections on human health in relation to the planet, the intersection of personal storytelling and broader sociopolitical narratives is amplified at cultural events like Séries Mania. These discussions not only entertain but also challenge audiences to contemplate pressing issues that extend far beyond the realm of entertainment.
Both books, Mémoires (published by Stock) and Ces fleuves qui coulent en nous (published by Julliard), are now available in bookstores, reflecting the growing demand for literature that addresses critical issues with honesty and urgency. Following the festival, it will be intriguing to see how the cinematic interpretations receive responses from the public, particularly in addressing deeper societal challenges.
