Longtime Companion FIlm
Sometimes, the best way to make a statement or get information out to the public is through movies and television. We all saw some “very special episodes” of television programs when we were growing up, and as corny as they may have been, they were still informative. After that episode ended, you knew more about the subject that was covered than when you sat down. This was especially true in the case of films bringing HIV and AIDS to the attention of the masses. HIV and AIDS are relatively new to us, only being recognized as diseases for about thirty years. Some films have done an incredible service to our society by increasing awareness. Here are the most powerful and important films that had characters that were infected with either HIV or AIDS.
1. Philadelphia – This was a film starring Tom Hanks as the main character, Andrew Beckett. The movie’s main focus was HIV and AIDS and how discrimination can come about when people find out somebody is infected by these diseases. Andrew Beckett was a lawyer that was infected with AIDS, but was hiding it from everybody at his law firm. After being fired, Beckett believes that it is because knowledge of his disease was leaked to the rest of the office. He then chooses to file a lawsuit against his former firm. This was a very powerful movie, and allowed people to see how HIV can affect a sufferer.
2. Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story – This was a straight-to-television based on HIV positive Olympian Greg Louganis, who is portrayed by Mario Lopez. It was a refreshing change to see Mario Lopez put behind his Saved by The Bell persona to take on a truly challenging role. Greg Louganis was an Olympic diver that won several gold medals during his career. This movie showed how the struggled with his own disease along with the death of Tom Barrett, whom he was in a relationship with, from AIDS. After Barrett succumbed to the AIDS virus, Louganis decided to come out as a gay, HIV positive man to the public.
3. Longtime Companion – One of the first movies with HIV and AIDS as the subject matter to be theatrically released, and it was the first to open with a wide release. This film is set during the first few years after HIV and AIDS were recognized as diseases in 1981. The movie was released in 1990, and the movie follows the characters from 1980-1989. It is arguable whether this is the most important HIV and AIDS movie, but there is no doubt that it was groundbreaking.
It is great that the movie business has the courage to put out films like these occasionally. Powerful films can change the way the entire public perceives a subject, and bring to light any issues that need exposure. Hopefully this trend will continue as long as there are concerns that need addressing.
