I found this French film when it was broadcast on television, it was rated the full five out of five stars by the Radio Times, and I read it was acclaimed at the Cannes Film Festival, so I was interested to see it for myself. Basically, set in the early 1990s, the French government has declared its intent to support HIV/AIDS sufferers. A group of HIV/AIDS activists associated with the Paris ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) movement stage public protests against the government, for their slow pace and accusing them of censoring and minimising the fight against the virus. When the pharmaceutical company Melton Pharm announces its plans to reveal its HIV trial results at a prominent pharmaceutical conference the following year, ACT UP invades its offices with fake blood and demand they release results immediately. ACT UP do make headway with their protests, but members debate their strategy, with conflictions on goals on making a show and persuading the public, and conflictions of positive and negative messages. There is the opportunity to appear at the Gay Pride parade but ACT UP struggle with plans compared to previous years, as the AIDS epidemic has created a depressing atmosphere. ACT UP have several large meetings in a lecture theatre where members discuss more direct action and others aim to bring the scientists to meetings where they can hear about the test results sooner. But there are many arguments about methods being against the ACT UP principles and the group always seem to be arguing. There are shifts between the politics of the time and personal stories of ACT UP members. Nathan (Arnaud Valois) is a gay man who is a newcomer to the group and begins to fall in love with passionate veteran Sean, who is HIV-positive. Nathan and Sean start a sexual relationship and discuss their sexual histories. Sean got HIV from his married maths teacher when he was sixteen, and the disease's progression begins to show for Sean, with Nathan offering to care for him. Young group member Jérémie (Ariel Borenstein) lives with HIV and his health deteriorates rapidly. After his death, his wish was for the group to parade in the streets, putting his name and face to the ranks of AIDS victims. Sean's health worsens, he is released from hospital and lives with Nathan. He is given end-of-life care until Nathan euthanises him, and ACT UP members hold a wake at their home. Respecting Sean's wishes, they later invade a health insurance conference, throwing his ashes over the conference-goers and their food. Also starring Adèle Haenel as Sophie, Antoine Reinartz as Thibault, Félix Maritaud as Max, Aloïse Sauvage as Eva, Simon Bourgade as Luc, Médhi Touré as Germain, Simon Guélat as Markus, Coralie Russier as Muriel, Catherine Vinatier as Hélène, Théophile Ray as Marco, and Saadia Ben Taieb as Sean's Mother. It should be mentioned that the title refers to both the human heartbeat rate and the rhythm of house music that was becoming popular in the 90s. I will be honest and say that I did lose my way a little in moments, but the most memorable scenes are the meetings, the tragic death of a character and dealing with his body, and the parades and public displays to gain momentum. But the film does perfectly capture the feel of the time, from the lively culture and obviously the gay scene, as well as the fearful time where AIDS was killing many people, it is both funny and tragic in equal measure, and certainly a worthwhile drama based on a true story. Good!
Review of 120 BPM
