Ira Sachs The man I love The film received a standing ovation — more than 7 minutes — when it premiered Wednesday night in main competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, as the film’s director and actors — Rami Malek, Tom Sturridge and Luther Ford — ascended the steps of the Palais des Festivals for the evening’s screening.
The events take place in New York, circa 1984. The man I love The film follows Jimmy George (Malik), a beloved gay artist living with AIDS who refuses to stop working – and who is determined to mount a new theatrical production as time goes by. His world is centered on his loyal partner Dennis (Sturridge) and is complicated by an affair with his younger neighbor, Vincent, played by Luther Ford in his feature film debut.
The premiere audience applauded through the credits and then roared as the lights came on. Malek, making his first appearance at the festival, seemed particularly overwhelmed. As the camera focused on his face, his eyes filled with tears, before he slowly turned in a circle as if trying to commit the entire stage to memory. He quickly looked uncomfortable and grinned, trying to pass the spotlight to anyone within reach: Sachs, stars Tom Sturridge and Luther Ford, even festival director Thierry Frémaux.
Malik seems to have inserted himself into the awards conversation with this performance, which includes a cameo when he, as Jimmy, sadly sings Melanie’s 1970 hit “Look What They Did to My Song, Mama” for his family.
“Well, that’s nice,” Sachs said, taking a microphone. “This is a film about what we can give to each other, through art, through love, through pain, through memory, and I hope there are some memories that we share this evening, at this festival, and for our love of cinema. … None of us will be here forever, just to say. But there are moments we will remember, and I tried with this film, with this amazing actor, to fill this film with the things I want to remember. And now tonight will add to that.”
He took a moment to get everyone who helped make the film to raise their hand — about 100 people — and then Sachs pointed to Malick, Sturridge and Ford, and thanked “the three men who gave their lives to make this film possible.”
Sachs, who co-wrote the screenplay with longtime Mauricio Zacarias, drew inspiration from real-life experimental artists who continued to create until their final days — among them The Wooster Group’s Ron Vawter and pioneering gay comedian Frank Maya.
The supporting cast includes Rebecca Hall and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Jimmy’s sister and brother-in-law, along with dozens of real New York performers Sachs has known over the years, many of whom fill out the film’s raucous stage troupe.
The man I love Arriving just 16 months after Sachs’ previous feature, Peter Hogar Daya continuation of one of the most prolific and critically acclaimed performances in American independent cinema. Four of his last seven films have received Spirit Award nominations for Best Picture, including the critically acclaimed One Corridors.
The man I love It is currently seeking distribution in the United States. MK2 Films is handling international sales with WME Independent representing North America.
