Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt

I am a health teacher who has used this film many years ago..but had thought it might have been too old to use now. But after giving it a lot of thought, NOW is the time to show the film more than ever as kids today (and many young adults) do not know the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how those caught up in the early stigma filled days, coped with the disease. Of course stigma still exists around the subject, but this movie brings a compelling human face to the tragedy and neglect that was brought about through ignorance and prejudice.

The haunting images of the past, coupled with the story telling, create a 'must view' for today. As others have said, it packs a powerful punch, so be aware of the difficult outcomes of those involved. This film is definitely 'one for the ages'...

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.

I've got to say that I hadn't thought of this incredible film in a while, but it came up recently (the current year is 2009) and I decided to check out the reviews here. The reviews, all by themselves, and the memory of the film, and the music, and of what the film meant and of the stories of the people in it, made me cry all over again--THAT'S how powerful it is, memories of it in my heart 20 years later.

In my view, this movie should be required viewing for all those people out there who still hate. And for all those precious people out there who genuinely love, this movie will find a welcome home in your heart, whether this be a first viewing, or a refreshed memory from decades ago.

I was actually looking for something else today when I came across this. I remember seeing this several years ago & still recall it clearly. I've never been a big bobby McFerrin fan, but the theme music that he came up with is deeply human and touching. It accents the somber tone of the presentation extremely well. I remember sitting there struck silent by the magnitude of human suffering expressed in the form of those quilts. If more filmmakers had the kind of heart those two have, the world would be a better place for all of us. Gay and Straight alike.

I was on staff at the Names Project during the making of this film and am honored to have been so. This film won the 1989 Academy Award for Feature Documentary. As has been stated by others, this is not an easy film to see, but I would encourage anyone who wants a greater understanding of the devastating impact of AIDS to view it. To have worked in the Names Project workshop and seen firsthand the care and love poured into each panel of the quilt was both a privilege and, ultimately, a devastating experience. Some of the people I worked with there are now gone - died of AIDS themselves - and I still think of them and miss them. See this film.

As for the comment about a world view, the film does mention some worldwide statistics. However, one of the main points of the film is that the United States government was abysmally slow in its response to the AIDS epidemic - so there is a reason for the focus on the U.S.