The movie RENT was released in 2005 but is actually set in late 1989/early 1990, which was arguably the peak of the AIDS epidemic in the United States and also a time which having the disease was basically a death sentence. While the first outbreak was reported in 1981 very little was actually known about the disease. Upon the outbreak, HIV and AIDS was seen and known (wrongly) as a “gay mans disease” because many gay men had been diagnosed with the type of cancer that became a direct link to the then unnamed virus-HIV.
As the years have progressed, more is known however many people are still incredibly uneducated and ignorant to the disease today. After the outbreak, many organizations formed to help those affected by the disease in some way. The first organization, Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) was started in New York City in 1982. The organization worked to end the AIDS epidemic by addressing issues of discrimination, bankruptcy, housing etc. The team also worked as a support system through services obtainable for HIV-positive victims as well as their loved ones.
The services connect those infected with others, who were facing the same disease and provided support from family and friends. In the movie, the group of friends it follows (both those with the disease and those without) attend these support group meetings. In 1985 the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a conference to be held in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference, later to become known as “The International AIDS Conference” became an annual event that to this day remains in affect. The conference opened the door for a worldwide discussion and prevention of the deadly disease.
Over the next several years, after its beginning days, conferences were held all over the world and are still held today in hopes of creating awareness and prevention. With every conference, more is done and more hope is created for those living with the disease. It’s only directly mentioned briefly in the song “La Vie Boheme” but ACT UP is also an important part of the AIDS movement. ACT UP stands for AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power. It looks to bring about legislation, medical research and treatment and policies to ultimately bring an end to the disease by mitigating loss of health and lives.
ACT UP was formed in March 1987 at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in New York. Since it’s founding, ACT UP has grown to have thousands of members in more than 70 chapters in the United States and worldwide. ACT UP’s non-violent direct action, often using vocal demonstrations and dramatic acts of civil disobedience, focuses attention on the crucial issues of the AIDS crisis. And so, Maureen’s protest would be considered to be a part of ACT UP as it does just that. It is not meant to be violent (even though it ends up that way) and focuses on the issues of the crisis.
In short, the story revolves around a group of seven friends living in New York City. It follows each one and tells their stories as they struggle with love, poverty, drugs and the AIDS epidemic. It is a compelling story of hope, life, truth and above all else a story about love. The overall purpose and backbone of the story is that of overcoming obstacles and rising above the greatest hardships. The story comes across full fledged and very well in the musical. I personally am a huge fan of the raw material. At no point is anything ever sugar coated or made out to be anything less than what it is.
The goal is to tell what life was like to live in New York City, cold, hungry and dealing right in the center of the AIDS epidemic. And it is portrayed remarkably well throughout. Audience members feel as though they are actually a part of the characters lives as they watch their stories unravel. The story also focuses on the lives of the gay characters. There is the gay couple of Angel and Collins, and the lesbian couple of Maureen and Joanne. Angel is a cross dresser living with AIDS who eventually dies from the disease. Of all the gay characters however, Angel and Collins are the only ones with the disease.
The others (Roger and MiMi) are straight, showing that it is not a “gay man’s disease” as was thought when it was first discovered. Without getting too much into the musical aspect of it, it is a musical so I feel like it’s only fair that it is mentioned at least some. In the song, “One Song Glory” main character, Roger, tells of how he contracted the AIDS virus while at the same time showing the heartache from losing his love, April. The overall feel of the song is very mellow, and obviously a ballad as Roger recalls his past and is very sad.
This song speaks volumes, my favorite part of it being the final line with the simple words of “time dies” and ending the song and leaving it almost on a cliffhanger. The song “died”. I love it. Also, the song “Will I? ” is taking place at one of the life support meetings already mentioned where all of the group members are reaching out for support and guidance. The audience can feel the pain and the sorrow being expressed in the round of lyrics. Who would know that four simple lines could be so powerful? But to me, those four lines: “Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow, from this nightmare? ” are the four most powerful lines in the entire musical. This song not only tells the story, but also shows the feelings of the characters. RENT is a story about life in New York City during the times of the AIDS epidemic and follows a group of friends, some of which are straight and others that are gay. The story is one of strength and triumph. At the time when the movie is set the epidemic was at its peak and this was the life of the people. There were many support groups like the one in the movie and groups to help end the disease like ACT UP also portrayed in the movie.