Il était une fois... « 120 battements par minute »

Zaps, sit-ins, die-ins, flyers, parades: in the early 90s, to fight against the general indifference to the AIDS epidemic, the Act Up movement invented a new language, a new style of activism, spectacular and provocative, which still inspires new generations of activists. This is what this documentary aims to show, by going back into the genesis and making of BPM (Beats per Minute), the 2017 Cannes Film Festival's grand prize winner, six times winner of the Cesar award. The film also shows how BPM (Beats per Minute) intertwines autobiographical memories and romantic lyricism, as close as possible to historical reality, and how Act Up was for Robin Campillo the founding personal experience that made him a filmmaker.

Directed by Manuelle Blanc, Il était une fois... « 120 battements par minute » leans on a strong ensemble — Robin Campillo, Arnaud Valois, Didier Lestrade — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2022.