Drama
United States of America
Buddies is a 1985 American drama film directed by Arthur J. Bressan Jr. The film explores the early days of the AIDS epidemic and tells the story of two men who are brought together as part of a volunteer program for people dying of AIDS.
David, played by Geoff Edholm, is a naive graduate student who has never been involved in activism before. He volunteers to work with the AIDS patient Robert, played by David Schachter, who is a lifelong activist. The two men have very different world views, with David being cautious and concerned about following rules and Robert being passionate about political activism and frustrated with the lack of support he has received from his friends and family.
As David spends more time with Robert, he begins to develop a deeper understanding of the political and social realities of the AIDS epidemic. He also begins to develop a personal relationship with Robert, which allows Robert to express his pent-up emotions and fears about his illness. Over the course of the film, David's inner activist awakens as he becomes more involved in supporting AIDS patients and fighting for their rights.
Buddies was groundbreaking for its depiction of the AIDS epidemic and its humanizing portrayal of gay men. The film was made on a low budget and is notable for its minimalist style, with most of the action taking place in a single room. Buddies has been praised for its realism and emotional impact, and is widely regarded as a landmark film in the history of LGBTQ cinema.
