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120 Beats Per Minute reminds us of the inspirational fight against AIDS in the 90's!
In his latest film 120 Beats Per Minute, director Robin Campillo drew inspiration from his own memories when he was part of Act Up (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power). An association that fights against AIDS but especially against the silence that typically surrounds this topic.
Created in 1989, the main objective of the group is to make visible, through spectacular actions and devastating slogans, the AIDS epidemic, which mostly affects minorities, such as prostitutes, drug addicts, prisoners and gay people.
One of Act Up's more famous actions is the covering of the Concorde obelisk with a giant condom in Paris on the 1st December 1993
The film follows activists from Act Up who have largely been ignored by the government and drug makers, who see AIDS as a 'homosexual disease'. The urgency of the situation is further punctuated by the various personalities shown throughout the film.
It's easy to get attached to the characters who portray a moving depiction of living with AIDS and loving its victims. From the handsome new recruit Nathan (Arnaud Valois) who is HIV-negative unlike Sean (Nahuel Perez Biscayart). An angry HIV-positive activist that Nathan falls in love with.
We are continuously introduced to all kinds of characters, including Thibault (Antoine Reinartz), leader of the movement, meeting coordinator Sophie (Adèle Haenel) and Marco (Théophile Ray), a teenage haemophilia patient. The group's actions soon leads them to an ending that you won't see coming.
The film is carried by a phenomenal cast and ever important message, the fight against AIDS is far from over. Today over 35 million people worldwide have died of AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic and there's still no cure for the disease. To be part of the fight, donate to Act Up and make a difference today.
