Robin Campillo's epic film is a vibrant, sprawling, gritty, and often shrill look at the frequently disruptive tactics of the Paris chapter of the AIDS activist group ACT UP in the early 1990s. But it is also deeply poignant and ultimately heartbreaking in its depiction of the ravages of the epidemic. Much of the story centers on the rowdy, argumentative weekly meetings that members attend to discuss plans for public demonstrations against an unengaged government and pharmaceutical companies that are shamefully sluggish in developing effective treatment. Also discussed are methods of educating the public—including students in schools—and helping to protect them from infection, calling for (among other things) the installation of condom vending machines. While this larger context—which pits radicals against the group's more moderate leadership—is being portrayed, a more intimate tale is also told: a romance between Sean (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), a volatile agitator who is HIV-positive, and Nathan (Arnaud Valois), an initially reserved young newcomer. The frank but hypnotic depiction of their sexual activity is juxtaposed with a wrenching portrayal of men succumbing to the disease as the surrounding society responds with fear and, in some cases, revulsion. Periodically, the activists are shown dancing with abandon to throbbing music, a testimony to the film's underlying insistence that while the beats of the heart may be stilled by the tragedy of AIDS, the pulse of life goes on among the afflicted. France's official selection for this year's Academy Awards—but snubbed by Oscar—BPM is a powerful period film that exhibits timely anger at indifference and prejudice. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)
BPM (Beats Per Minute)
Passion River, 143 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $24.99, Mar. 6 Volume 33, Issue 2
BPM (Beats Per Minute)
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As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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