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‘120 BPM’ shines a light on AIDS activism in the UK

Besi Besemar March 28, 2018

Tomorrow, Thursday March 28, Curzon Soho plays host to a launch party for Robin Campillo’s award-winning film 120 BPM to commemorate the work of AIDS activists in the UK and highlight the ongoing issues surrounding HIV treatment.

 

The event will see lead actors Nahuel Perez Biscayart and Arnaud Valois joined on stage by high-profile political voices, healthcare workers and activists, including those from ACT-UP London and AIDS Memory UK.

120 BPM reimagines the lives of AIDS activists in early 90s Paris in bold and vivid detail, paying tribute to the effectiveness of their direct action campaign. Based on the director’s own experiences, this vibrant and deeply emotional drama rushes with youthful energy, balancing powerful themes of social justice with euphoric moments of spine-tingling sensuality.

Robin Campillo, Writer and Director of 120 BPM, says: “120 BPM is not a film about being a victim of the epidemic but about being stronger and becoming active.” 

ACT-UP London calls on those affected by the film to join them in their campaign to safeguard HIV treatment in the UK.

The screening will be followed by an after-party in the Curzon Soho bar with a DJ set from Horse Meat Disco paying music inspired by the film.

Peter Tatchell
Peter Tatchell

Peter Tatchell, ex-ACT UP LONDON and Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation, says: “120 bmp is the inspiring, uplifting and empowering story of how people with HIV and allies transformed the AIDS narrative through non-violent direct action and civil disobedience that successfully challenged government inaction, drug company greed and public prejudice and ignorance. Though this film is about the AIDS activist group, ACT UP Paris, it tells the awesome universal story of the global struggle by activists worldwide whose daring, courage and militancy saved millions of lives.”

Dan Glass, from ACT UP London, adds: “Two of the biggest problems facing the HIV movement at the moment is the privatisation of the NHS and the negative impact on a person’s mental health that comes as a consequence of the stigmatisation of HIV. ACT UP LONDON are calling on everyone affected by 120 BPM to join us in celebrating the films positive message and in opposing the privatisation of the NHS.” 

Ash Kotak, AIDS Memory UK, says: “Memories and emotions rest together. Many of us who lived through the period of the film were numbed by the number of deaths of our friends and loved ones we witnessed, the emotions were overbearing, the unwanted memories traumatising. 120 BPM realises that struggle which today is almost forgotten yet remains painfully alive in so many. This is why a national tribute to HIV is so important in the U.K.” 

For event information and to book tickets, click here:

120 BPM is In Cinemas and On Curzon on Demand from Friday, April 6.

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