BPM

This year's Cannes Grand Jury Prize and Queer Palm winner dives headfirst into the passions, protests and politics of 90s AIDS activism.

Drawing upon his own experiences as a member of direct-action advocacy organisation Act Up-Paris, writer/director/editor Robin Campillo (Eastern Boys, MIFF 2014; They Came Back, MIFF 2005) crafts an immersive portrait of a pivotal period in recent history and an intimate account of people fighting for life while facing death.

Set at a time when governments and pharmaceutical companies were eager to ignore the AIDS pandemic rather than assist, Campillo's raw, intimate drama charts the ripples that follow when HIV-negative Nathan joins the group. His new colleagues are desperate to make a difference, fervour he shares even if he doesn't always speak up during their spirited, rapid-fire debates; however, Nathan is also desperately falling for outspoken, swiftly ailing ringleader Sean.

'A vital contribution to queer and political cinema, a testament to crusaders of recent history whose nobility does not overshadow their complicated and individual humanity.' – Vanity Fair