New York City’s struggle to cope with the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s has been well documented in films such as “Longtime Companion,” “The Normal Heart,” and yes, even “Rent.” NYC was affected by the illness more than any other American city, especially within its gay community.

There was fear, hate, and hysteria and “1985,” crafted by Malaysian-born writer/director Yen Tan, has the intention of showing us how things have not changed all that much thirty years later. 

Continue reading Intimate AIDS Drama ‘1985’ Is Heartfelt And Authentic With Great Performances [Review] at The Playlist.

When you think about the way AIDS has been portrayed on screen, the stories seem always to be centered around death, despair, and heartache that was all too real to too many. The new indie “1985,” however, seems to have a glimmer of positivity in the darkness.

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The “1985” story centers around a closeted young man, Adrain, played by Cory Michael Smith (known for his work on “Gotham“), who goes home to Texas for the holidays and struggles to reveal his dire circumstances to his conservative family.

Continue reading ‘1985’ Trailer: ‘Gotham’ Star Cory Michael Smith Leads An Moving AIDS Drama at The Playlist.