"BPM (Beats Per Minute)": A Captivating Drama Everyone Must Watch
"BPM (Beats Per Minute)" is a French drama that balances comedy with a serious underlying tone, extraordinarily well. "BPM" is a film by no other than Robin Campillo, who has already received an award for his previous feature film "THEY CAME BACK" (2004) at the Venice Film Festival. Now he is back with a new impressive take on the governmental ignorance in France with educating people about the AIDS. "BPM" will not only leave you teared up one second and laughing the next; it will make you think and see the harsh reality of sexual ignorance that sadly can lead to HIV.
The official synopsis of the film reads “The organization is ACT UP, and its members, many of them gay and HIV-positive, embrace their mission with a literal life-or-death urgency. Amid rallies, protests, fierce debates and ecstatic dance parties, the newcomer Nathan falls in love with Sean, the group’s radical firebrand, and their passion sparks against the shadow of mortality as the activists fight for a breakthrough.” From this synopsis, I wasn't sure what I was in for until I took my seat in the IMAX Royal Dole Theater in downtown Honoulu, Hawaii. I soon learn I was in for an emotional ride and I let myself embrace the journey that the film presented.
"BPM (Beats Per Minute)" 2017
A film by Robin Campillo
Running Time: 144 minutes
The cinematic choices in this film were what left me riding on an emotional rollercoaster. Each character was so developed and real that I could feel the pain and anger that they all shared in 'ACT UP' when one of their members faced their fatal end after being HIV-positive. I felt both empowered and made aware of how negligent the French government particularly are towards being proactive in educating their population about AIDS and how it can affect absolutely anyone (not just the gay community). There are many educational elements to the film that were delivered in a clever way to imprint the need to activism and change with HIV awareness in France.
This film had me crying, laughing and thinking of the vitality of sexual education and awareness, as AIDS is current and continues to affect hundreds of people around the world. "BPM" definitely deserves to be recognized and I hope more people take the time to watch this educational and creatively impressive motion picture.