A.I.D.S. Serial May Help Understanding (Press, 5 December 1986)

Claire Bloom and Daniel Massey are featured in “Intimate Contact,” a four-part drama serial being filmed in Britain that addresses the serious and sensitive issue of A.I.D.S. The British Government has responded to the rising concern over the disease by establishing a special committee, chaired by Lord Whitelaw, to explore combat strategies. By August 1986, 246 people had died from A.I.D.S. in the UK, while the United States reported over 12,000 deaths. Projections indicate there could be 20,000 cases in the UK by 1990, with up to 40,000 individuals believed to be carriers. The American statistics are even more alarming, with an estimated 24,000 cases and around two million carriers. Interest in A.I.D.S. surged following the death of actor Rock Hudson, highlighting the disease's impact across all demographics. The film, produced by Central Television’s Zenith, takes a unique approach by focusing on the emotional and personal aspects faced by individuals who discover they are HIV carriers or have partners who are affected. Massey portrays a successful businessman who learns that he contracted A.I.D.S. from a casual encounter with a prostitute in New York, while Bloom plays his wife, who must navigate the emotional turmoil stemming from her husband's diagnosis and the societal stigma they face. Writer Alma Cullen notes the need for societal change in response to the spread of A.I.D.S., emphasising that the disease is not limited to any one demographic. Cullen, who has spent a decade as a TV scriptwriter, became interested in A.I.D.S. after reading medical articles and witnessing ignorance and intolerance at a business conference concerning the disease. She asserts that A.I.D.S. has provided a platform for some individuals to express latent hostility towards homosexuality, resulting in increased stigma towards victims. Cullen's intent with “Intimate Contact” is to foster greater understanding and tolerance for those affected by A.I.D.S., as she is aware of the isolation some of her homosexual friends have faced as the virus increasingly spread to heterosexual populations. She describes the writing process for the serial as the most challenging and intense she has ever encountered. Filming commenced in September 1986, and the serial is expected to air in Britain in the following year, aiming to shed light on a topic that is both urgent and often misunderstood.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand