French director Robin Campillo (“Eastern Boys”) joined the Paris chapter of Act Up in 1992. Through incisively designed editing, he interlaces
French director Robin Campillo (“Eastern Boys”) joined the Paris chapter of Act Up in 1992. Through incisively designed editing, he interlaces AIDS activists’ outrage, theatrics and impassioned debate. A love story arrives late and plays a rather small role until the finale of this powerful 144-minute drama. Characters are well drawn but Campillo focuses on group dynamics — meetings, protests, gay pride parades and strobe-lit dance floors of clubs. The roster of issues includes protease inhibitor drug trials by a pharmaceutical company, condoms in high schools, needle exchanges, and hemophiliacs at risk of exposure to the HIV virus. Homophobia — and the dance music signaled in the title abbreviation for beats-per-minute — are found in the background. 11:30 a.m. Oct. 15.
The Chicago International Film Festival continues through Oct. 26 at AMC River East 21,322 E. Illinois.
