Script writer and author Jonas Gardell brings us a very interesting, genuinely touching, heart- wrenching and important piece of modern history. It deals with the start of the AIDS epidemic in 1980's homophobic Sweden.
It is a love story between Rasmus and Benjamin, two young men from very different backgrounds, in a time when homosexuality was still very much a taboo subject and not socially accepted.
But it is also a story of a time when young men in the gay community suddenly started to fall ill, whither away and die, in what became known as the "Gay Plague". A new virus shook the world and nobody knew how to deal with it. Ignorance lead to scaremongering, prejudices and enormous stigma, as the title suggests.
It is un-sentimental, yet truly and deeply touching. Beautifully filmed, well directed and phenomenally acted. The two leads Adam Palsson and Adam Lundgren give honest, moving, raw and believable performances as Rasmus and Benjamin, fighting for their love and acceptance from both their families and society. Simon J Berger shines in his portrayal of their friend, the flamboyant, fiercely loyal, brutally honest and truly life affirming "Paul". Bjorn Kjellman, narrator and also playing the older "Benjamin" is not featured so much but his performance is heart-breaking and honest. The supporting cast (especially the parents) are also VERY strong and provide a real backbone to the piece.
An important series that shows the dangers of ignorance and prejudice, the importance of love, acceptance and remembrance and a reminder that as "Paul" says: Nobody gets to live their life over, that's the point.
