August Without Him
dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda · 1994
Being alive means confronting the realities of our existence, including the struggles and vulnerabilities that come with it.
Plot
Hirata Yukata became the first man in Japan to publicly acknowledge that he had contracted HIV through gay sex. Filmed over a series of months, the documentary contrasts his public life as an outspoken figure on the lecture circuit with his personal descent into illness and death.
Why watch
"August Without Him" is a poignant exploration of the human experience, juxtaposing the public bravery of Hirata Yukata with the profound isolation of his private struggle against HIV. Through Kore-eda's intimate lens, the film invites viewers to confront the stigmas of illness and sexuality in a deeply empathetic way.