A.I.D.S. Subject Of Drama (Press, 19 May 1987)

On 19 May 1987, New Zealand's first drama about AIDS, titled “A Death in the Family,” premiered on TV One. The 50-minute film was produced by James Wallace and written by Auckland independent filmmaker Peter Wells, who also co-directed the film with Stewart Main. The film tells the poignant story of a New Zealander who returns from Sydney while suffering from AIDS during the early days of the epidemic, a time characterised by ignorance and prejudice. In the narrative, the young man's gay friends provide care for him, and they are joined by a compassionate doctor who becomes involved in his situation. Contrast is drawn with the man's conservative Christian family from Taranaki, who struggle to understand and accept their son's illness when they visit him. The film explores the convergence of diverse individuals as they seek to foster understanding in light of this challenging circumstance. Harold Anderson, the controller of TV One, described “A Death in the Family” as a sensitive, moving, and occasionally humorous portrayal of the dynamics between an AIDS-stricken man, his supportive friends, and his family, who find it difficult to accept the reality of his condition. Wells noted that the film draws inspiration from the experience of a friend who succumbed to AIDS in 1985, during the tumultuous period of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, which was marked by excessive societal hysteria regarding the disease. The film aims to counteract the negative hysteria associated with AIDS, especially regarding personal interactions with those infected. Wells expressed a hope that the film would help humanise the issue, as people often refer to those with AIDS as “victims,” overlooking their identities as sons and daughters who experience profound tragedy. The character of Andrew Boyd, portrayed by John Watson, was brought to life through Watson's extreme dedication, including a significant weight loss to authentically embody the role. Peter Wells highlighted the challenges involved in casting for the film but praised Watson for delivering a performance filled with integrity. The filmmakers intended the screening to spark public discourse on AIDS, focusing on themes of care, prevention, and awareness. Stewart Main emphasised that opening up this conversation is essential for community understanding, stressing that timely knowledge about AIDS can enhance safety for all. Wells pointed out the wider implications of the disease, underscoring that it affects all of society, not just specific groups, suggesting that the previous complacency experienced in heterosexual communities about AIDS could no longer continue without consequence.

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