11 films about HIV/AIDS to add to your watchlist

These films tell the stories of people living with HIV/AIDS and pay tribute to that time in LGBTQ+ history.

Screen shots from two films aabout HIV. Left: Main character from 'An Easy Frost' a man. Right: An activist filmed for 'United in Anger.'
Image: Left: @queer.cinema.archive on Instagram. Right: ACT UP Oral History on YouTube.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic had an important place in LGBTQ+ history, and it is important to remember this trying time. To draw attention to the experiences of those impacted by HIV/AIDS, check out this list of 10 moving films. 

An Early Frost

Co-written by Queer As Folk creator Ron Conwen, this film was one of the first to explore the life of a person living with AIDS. It received 14 Emmy nominations, winning three. 

 And The Band Played On

And The Band Played On is a docudrama that follows epidemiologist Don Francis, who noticed that there were a number of mysterious deaths happening across America, causing him to research the virus.

Philadelphia 

Starring Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks, this is the story of a man who was fired after he was diagnosed with HIV. He hires a homophobic lawyer to bring the firm to court for wrongful termination.

Tongues Untied

This documentary by Marlo Riggs explores the Black gay culture in the ’80s, and it discusses the loss of many people to HIV/AIDS. 

Rent

This iconic musical tells the story of a community and friend group set against the AIDS epidemic at the turn of the millennium. 

Precious

While not an LGBTQ+ film, this amazing movie tells the story of a teenager and a mother living with HIV. The girl aims to get an education to leave her mother’s abuse. 

Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt

This documentary features profiles of several people memorialised in the AIDS Quilt and has interviews with people who loved them. 

Buddies

Buddies is about a 32-year-old Californian man dying of AIDS complications in a hospital and a 25-year-old volunteer who befriends him. 

Life Support

This film is about a woman living with HIV who overcomes her drug addiction and starts working with an AIDS outreach group. Another film that isn’t about LGBTQ+ people but is still an amazing story.

United in Anger: A History of ACT UP

United in Anger is a documentary created by Sarah Schulman and Jim Hubbard. This film documents the mechanics behind some of ACT UP’s biggest demonstrations.

How To Tell A Secret

Of course, this list would not be complete without Ireland’s own How To Tell A Secret. The experimental documentary features people diagnosed with HIV talking about the act of disclosure and the relationship between advocacy, stigma and secrecy.

All these films are amazing and important to watch to remember those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS.

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