Dear friends,
Today’s pick, winner of the SXSW Grand Jury Prize last year, is a purposefully understated film; proof that “small” movies can be hugely important.
1985
Now on Amazon Prime U.S.
1985, a movie from 2019, was made like it was filmed during the year it’s about: it’s shot on gorgeous black-and-white Super 16mm film.
Not that it would be needed, but this minimalist setting puts a spotlight on the ensemble cast of this well-acted drama based on an award-winning short film.
In particular, the central one by Cory Michael Smith (Gotham, Camp X-Ray). He plays Adrian, a man visiting his conservative family in Texas from New York, so gently at times and explosively at others, it’s a sight to behold.
Adrian, estranged from his family for three years, visits them to find a way to tell them that he has AIDS.
Alternatives you might like
BPM or Beats-per-Minute, unfortunately only available on Hulu, is another well-made drama on the AIDS pandemic, this time set in 1990s Paris.
Somers Town on Amazon Prime is another great modern black-and-white movie. It’s about two kids who go on an adventure in London.
Talk on Friday,
Bilal
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