Introduction
The film Philadelphia is very touching and also provides a good view of HIV/AIDS issues and the problems that some of the infected people go through. This film is majorly a representation of the discrimination that surrounds STI’s and HIV in particular. There are also several myths, stereotypes and delusions that surround the epidemic. These have led to the victims being discriminated against or the victims themselves taking certain actions that put their life at risk. Having the correct information is the key to prevention and management of HIV/AIDS. If a person is exposed to wrong information and misconception, then their condition is likely to worsen.
Myths and Misconceptions
Some of the myths, stereotypes and misconceptions portrayed in the movie that surround the epidemic include; if a person is around people living with HIV/AIDS, he/she will also get the disease. This is a notion which is false since HIV/AIDS is not a contagious disease. Secondly, if a person is HIV positive, his/her life is over. This is also false since there are drugs and other modern ways of managing the disease that can help a person live even longer. Thirdly, if a person is HIV positive you can tell from the looks. People have also used this misconception to misjudge others about their HIV status. This is however false since a person can live with HIV/AIDS for years without showing the slightest sign of an infection. Some people also believe that HIV/AIDS only affect gays and lesbians. This notion is also false since HIV/AIDS can affect anyone who engages in sex with a victim without being protected.
Film Review
The film is very touching and depicts some of the injustices that the HIV/AIDS victims go through. Even though the story was inspired in part by Bower’s story, it has been generalized to show the day to day ordeals of the HIV/AIDS victims. I would recommend this movie to anyone interested in studying HIV/AIDs and to unearth the misconceptions and the injustices that HIV/AIDS victims go through. This is a must watch film and very touching as it also has moral lessons in it.
Work Cited List
1. Cante, Richard C. (March 2009), Gay Men and the Forms of Contemporary US Culture, London: Ashgate Publishing.
2. Philadelphia. Dir. Jonathan Demme. Perf. Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington. TriStar Pictures, 1995.
3. Pristin, TerryPhiladelphia Screenplay Suit to Reach Court, New York Times, 1996
