Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989)

A collection of profiles of people dead from AIDS who are remembered in the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Directors:

Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman

Writers:

Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman,

Stars:

Sara Lewinstein, David Mandell, Suzi Mandell

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Sara Lewinstein	...	Storyteller (story subject: Dr. Tom Waddell)
David Mandell	...	Storyteller (story subject: David Mandell Jr.)
Suzi Mandell	...	Storyteller (story subject: David Mandell Jr.)
Sallie Perryman	...	Storyteller (story subject: Robert Perryman)
Vito Russo	...	Storyteller (story subject: Jeffrey Sevcik)
Tracy Torrey	...	Storyteller (story subject: himself and David C. Campbell)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gregg Baker	...	Himself - News Reporter (archive footage)
Gary Bauer	...	Himself - Policy Advisor to the President (archive footage)
Robert Bazell	...	Himself - News Reporter (archive footage)
Kevin Boyle	...	Himself - News Reporter (archive footage)
Edward Brandt	...	Himself - Assistant Secretary for Health (archive footage)
Tom Brokaw	...	Himself - News Reporter (archive footage)
Bobbi Campbell	...	Himself (archive footage)
David C. Campbell	...	Himself (archive footage)
Marcus A. Conant	...	Himself (archive footage) (as Marcus A. Conant M.D.)

Storyline

This film recounts the lives and deaths of various victims of AIDS who are commemorated in the AIDS quilt. It is a massive cloth collecting each piece as a memorial for each victim of the disease to both show the death toll and to show the humanity of the victims to those who would rather demonize them.

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Plot Keywords:

aids | death | quilt | memorial | naval officer | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Telling Pictures official website

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Company Credits

Production Co:

Couterie, Home Box Office (HBO), Telling Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Vito (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Common Threads"
Written and Performed by Bobby McFerrin

User Reviews

With caution...

Don't take this film lightly. It has to be one of the most heart-breaking films ever made. I saw this only once - 9 years ago! - and to this day, I still have Bobby McFerrin's depressing little theme in my head. Don't plan on doing much after this has ended. It's like SHOAH packed into less than 90 minutes. I never thought the presence of something so stupid as Alf (from the sitcom) could bring tears to my eyes. See this and find out why.

I'm shocked and saddened that I'm only the 9th person to vote for this film.