25 years ago HIV was a death sentence. Those living with HIV were sometimes discriminated against and often shunned.
And then came Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, director Jonathan Demme, and a movie called Philadelphia. That movie and the developments in HIV treatment which followed it changed the face of HIV and AIDS in America and throughout the world.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Philadelphia, I am proud to announce a new two-episode podcast series: People Like Us: Inside Philadelphia.
Here’s how the news was covered in the entertainment trade publication The Wrap.
This is produced with the incredible audio wizardry of my collaborator Jeff Schmidt, the generous support of our production partners at Wondery, and a big green light from the folks at Sony who are releasing a new 4K edition of the DVD.
This series, to my knowledge, is the first to be produced solely to support charity. Thanks to Coca Cola, 100% of the donations made by listeners to this podcast will go to support (RED) and its campaign to rid the world of AIDS in our lifetimes.
I am so thrilled and grateful for the great honor and responsibility of making this series.
I am also deeply grateful to the people involved in the original film who have heard the podcast and offered their enthusiastic approval. These include Joanne Howard (wife of the late director Jonathan Demme), Ron Nyswaner (screenwriter), and stars Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks.
(By the way, if you want to know what “anxious” is, try asking Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington to listen to your podcast).
Please listen to this short series. It’s easily the most important thing I’ve done. And every penny it generates will go to halt the scourge of AIDS, which even today is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age worldwide.
Thank you!
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