After watching Beats Per Minute (or to shorten it, BPM) I felt that 2017 was one of the best year in queer cinema. Last year, some of the gay themed films got recognitions and so often, appeared on the Top 10 list in publications. For me, it showed that queer cinema has reached another level after the success of Moonlight. Call Me by Your Name, God’s Own Country (which I’m going to review next) BPM, and A Fantastic Woman, give me hope that in 2018, there will be more queer movies like these.
BPM tackled the issue that has been done so many times in the cinema (and literature), albeit with different approach. AIDS epidemic will always be part of gay history and there are always stories to tell, but most of the movies which deal with AIDS, always focus on the relationships of the main characters, but BPM took different approach. The movie is about ACT UP Paris, a group of activist who fight tirelessly to get the attention of government and pharmaceutical about AIDS and how to treat the patients. Love story in BPM acted as a side story rather than central one and that’s why BPM is different.
Their act might be look to violent, but I understand the desperation. It was their only way to get attention from the concerning parties. Throughout the movie, I wasn’t only sympathized and empathized with their fight, but I felt the admiration and the urge to do similar things because of what happened in Indonesia lately. It won’t be a fight against AIDS, though, but a fight against homophobia. What I love about BPM is the truthfulness of it, because it felt way too real for me. The scene of Nathan and Sean when they made love didn’t feel staged. It felt so natural, just like how real people make love. Their emotions were raw. Thanks to the cast, especially Nahuel Pérez Biscayat and Arnaud Valois who played Sean and Nathan with such tenderness and determination. And BPM showed me the sense of unity in a community where they had the same purpose. There were few scenes that got me tear up: when they marched on the street behind Jeremie’s dead body and this one:
The way Sean said the words, the way he looked at Nathan, saying that line … it really broke my heart. No one wants to leave the one they love, moreover when they knew their time is limited. It’s like apologizing for something that shouldn’t be.
I understand the reason behind Nathan’s act near the ending. He did that because he knew he couldn’t stand seeing Sean in such condition. Even the scene afterwards, felt way too real that I couldn’t help but staring at the screen, lost for words.
I wish there were more queer movies like this, which highlighted the struggle and fight of equality, because believe me, there are many stories that haven’t been told. BPM might sound too political for some people, but for me, it’s also one of the realest movies I’ve ever watched.
My rating is ***** out of ***** simply because it stirred something in me and made me realize, that gay community will always have to fight, even now. The battle will never end.
