Out Takes

30 Apr 2019

Modern AIDS Cinema with Yen Tan’s ‘1985’

Arts, TV & Film

To celebrate the theatrical release of Yen Tan’s 1985, we’re turning our attention to modern AIDS cinema and looking at the ways in which it recalls and recollects the early AIDS crisis.

Our guest was Yen Tan, whose moving new film 1985 has been called “richly hypnotic” and “deeply emotional”.

Set in Texas in 1985, the film charts the journey of Adrian Lester, a closeted gay man, who returns home to tell his family that he is dying of AIDS. Shot on black and white super 16mm film, 1985 takes a unique look at a pivotal moment in American history through the prism of empathy, love and family.

1985 is also just one of a spate of recent films that have sought to re-envisage and recreate the tragedy of the early AIDS crisis.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:50 — 47.5MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | Deezer | RSS

17 Mar 2026

Oscars Recap 2026

TV & Film

For this Out Takes Extra, we got together 24 hours post-Oscars for a debrief and to see if any of ...

17 Mar 2026

2026 GLAAD Media Awards, A Nice Indian Boy interview encore and our Oscar predictions

TV & Film

With Awards season wrapping up for another year, we thought we’d celebrate some of the winners at this year’s GLAAD ...

10 Mar 2026

Melbourne Women in Film Festival 2026, The Moment and A Friend of Dorothy

TV & Film

For this Out Takes, we welcomed the return of the Melbourne Women in Film Festival. Running from March 19–23 across ACMI ...