Among the first major motion pictures to address the AIDS crisis, PHILADELPHIA (1993) is a work of power and empathy that appears across three of the American Film Institute’s lists – ranking among cinema’s most inspiring films, its greatest heroes and its most iconic songs. Directed by AFI DOCS Guggenheim Symposium honoree Jonathan Demme, the film stars two AFI Life Achievement Award honorees – Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. In order to prepare for the role of Andy Beckett, Hanks immersed himself in the works of notable gay authors and activists such as Paul Monette – whose book, “Borrowed Time: An AIDS Memoir,” chronicled his partner’s battle with AIDS. To embody his character’s harrowing physical battle with AIDS, Hanks also worked with two personal trainers to shed a total of 35 pounds.
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about PHILADELPHIA.
