Director Susan Koch allows fascinating individuals to tell their stories in her documentaries. Her subjects rise up to speak their truths, while she films them fighting the daunting battles each has in their lives. Two years ago in Kicking It, she followed seven men from around the world (from Afghanistan, to Kenya, to Ireland, to North Carolina, and elsewhere) competing in the Homeless World Cup street soccer tournament. Two years before that, she released Mario’s Story, which follows a young Latino man, charged with murder, fighting to prove his innocence and save his own life.

Koch’s most recent film, The Other City, shines light on the AIDS epidemic in D.C. It focuses in on a wide range of individuals: gay and straight; African-American, Latino, and Caucasian; young parents and older singles; those thriving and those dying. The documentary shows the impact on individuals, their families and friends and their community, and exposes a side of D.C. (3 percent of the city’s population) that many people never see.

We first reviewed The Other City during Silverdocs, but now you have another chance to see it, starting this weekend at E Street Cinema. We spoke with Koch this week to get further insight on the film.

The Other City was written by reporter Jose Antonio Vargas. How did you two get involved in this project together?

I came across some articles by Jose Antonio Vargas while researching ideas for a film focused on the “two Washingtons.” The HIV/AIDS epidemic seemed like a powerful way to explore the city. The disease interests all the disparities that exist here — from health care to incarceration rates to poverty and homelessness.