Healthy reminder of AIDS fear circa 1984

As a testament to how intriguing this film was for me, I stayed up till nearly 3 a.m. on a worknight/day to watch. I recall so well the fear we had of this unknown illness back then, what, over 25 years ago? Words spread quickly of this illness you could get so easily, over the most natural of rituals such as sex, dental or blood work, first aid, etc. Many people working in the capacity of the medical field, needing medical treatment, and right down to morticians and prostitutes were getting infected and/or dying, not knowing the root cause but desperate to find a solution. Though we’ve never found a cure for AIDS after all these years, we know universal precautions are our best bet, as well as an early diagnosis and treatment for a longer life.

I was about 14 years old in 1984, with one of my closest friends a young gay classmate. In just a couple of years, by 1986, he was “out”, and we were thrilled for him. He was happy, and no longer felt out of his element. He was in college, doing so well, and even lived what’s considered a risky lifestyle. Hell, lots of people did - it was the 80’s after all. We lost him in 1995, and if we only knew then what we know now.

This French film comes recommended, if you don’t mind the English subtitles. I’m a fast reader, so it didn’t take away from the film/plot for me. Much of the dialogue will take you right back to 1984 if you recall growing up at that time, and how little we knew of this illness.

Nicely done, I give it an 8. I’m also a fan of dramatic movies, far more than I am of special effects and fantasy films. This one hit the spot. I’ve been there.