Winner of the Grand Prix at Cannes, this defiant account of 90s AIDS activism in France is a riveting celebration of the movement that is already being hailed as a modern queer classic.

Written and directed by Robin Campillo (writer of Palme d'Or-winning The Class), this profoundly humane film takes a look at the debates and protests of ACT UP Paris, an HIV/AIDS awareness group (their motto: Silence = Death) campaigning in the early 90s. We follow them as they discuss and debate strategy, ramping up their actions to fight the public's indifference to a massive health crisis, and in particular the story of one campaigner, Sean (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), as he falls in love with a fellow activist (Arnaud Valois) and comes to terms with his own diagnosis.

Thrumming with soul and a powerful urgency, this film is passionate and sensitive, with moments of warm humour between the heartbreak... a gripping portrait of boots-on-the-ground activism.

Presented in partnership with Queer Vision, the Bristol Pride Film Festival.

Panel Discussion - Sat 14 April

The 14:00 screening on Sat 14 April will be followed by a panel discussion reflecting on the history of AIDS activism and the issues we face today.

Panellists:

Lisa Power, Chair of the HIV Justice Network and a Trustee of the Queer Museum of Britain.

Ash Kotak, leader of #AIDSMemoryUK which campaigns to establish a national tribute to HIV/AIDS in the UK.

Andrew Carthew, a member of ACT UP Bristol, a diverse non-partisan group of individuals, committed to direct action to end the HIV pandemic, along with the broader inequalities and injustices that perpetuate it.

Polly Theedom, Campaigns and Fundraising Manager for Brigstowe, a HIV charity that has been serving people living with HIV in Bristol/SouthWest since 1995.

Mark Ferbrache, lead project worker for Promote, a health project for male sex workers by Bristol Drugs Project and Terrence Higgins Trust.

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