Ever since I saw the video for Queen’s Radio Gaga, I have been a fan of Freddie Mercury. You could just tell there was something remarkable about him. And there was.
Since my father used to play Santa Claus for children with AIDS, I became an AIDS activist. So when Mercury revealed that he had the disease, I knew that he was going to change the face of HIV. Not only would be remembered for being one of the best rockers from the last century, but he would also be known as a man who helped to normalize the persona of HIV/AIDS.
Therefore, if you are going to do a movie about him. You need to focus on it. But it is obvious from the trailer and the synopsis, that is not the case. At least it seems that way to be people who are passionate about him. But since we have not seen the movie, we are just assuming that to be the case.
Rami Malek did an interview with Attitude and he denies that. Actually what he said is:
“First, let me say that I don’t think the film shies away from his sexuality or his all-consuming disease, which is obviously Aids.
“I don’t know how you could avoid any of that, or if anyone would ever want to. It’s a bit absurd that anyone’s judging this from a minute trailer.
“The film needed to approach it in a delicate manner. You can’t shy away from it. It was an important moment to have in the film, one that ultimately is very sad but also empowering in a way.
“It shows you just how resilient human beings can be and how much we rely on the strength of our friends and family to get us through tough times.
“This pandemic is still very much a horrific threat to so many people in the world. It exists as a reality for so many that I think it would be a shame not to address it.”
What the f*ckity f*ck? What is, “all-consuming disease, which is obviously AIDS, “approach it in a delicate manner” and “this pandemic is still very much a horrific threat to so many people.” He is 37 years old, so he should know more about HIV/AIDS than to say stupid things like that. He might play a brilliant man on TV, but he is not coming off as smart, to me, with comments like that.
Plus, it also sounds like they address it, but only in passing. I think if Mercury were still alive he would not be happy about it. He was a vocal icon who did not shy away from who he was. Unlike the band who think they are as important as he was. They are not. He was Queen.
Seriously? It seems like you’re grasping for reasons to be angry. The movie hasn’t even been released, so calm down. Maybe when it’s out and it’s a shit film we can talk, but to talk shit about the actors merely trying to clear the air about a project they’ve worked on because “he’s not coming off as smart” and ruining your engraved bias seems like amateur hour…
[ # 1261187 ] Comment from Mary Magdalene [September 14, 2018, 3:28 am]
I don’t understand what he said that sounded stupid.
[ # 1261185 ] Comment from Mary Magdalene [September 14, 2018, 1:26 am]
Why is it stupid to say AIDS is still a threat to people? Literally have no idea what you’re upset about. Perhaps they wanted to celebrate the man’s life and be careful not to glamorize his death. I don’t know that, but neither do you because you haven’t seen the movie.
It sounds like you want the movie to be ABOUT AIDS. Go watch Philadelphia and Angels in America.
Without a doubt, Freddie Mercury was a legend and one of the most phenomenal musicians ever to live. However, you are utterly wrong about him being open about having HIV/AIDS. It is well known that he released a public statement little more than 24 hours before he died: ‘Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS.’ He did reveal it to his friends and bandmates prior to that point, but in no way was he public (nor should he be expected to have been, or be judged for keeping it private). The point is, he was very private. You are right that he ‘helped to normalize the persona of HIV/AIDS’ but that was posthumously, not a direct action on his part. If his bandmates, all of whom were heavily involved in Malek’ production, felt this approach was best, then all credit and respect to them. To suggest that Freddie would be unhappy about it is utter rubbish.
[ # 1261184 ] Comment from Beef woman [September 13, 2018, 10:24 pm]
Seriously? It seems like you’re grasping for reasons to be angry. The movie hasn’t even been released, so calm down. Maybe when it’s out and it’s a shit film we can talk, but to talk shit about the actors merely trying to clear the air about a project they’ve worked on because “he’s not coming off as smart” and ruining your engraved bias seems like amateur hour…