“Philadelphia” Jonathan Demme depicts human freedom and liberation in the land of freedom

"Philadelphia" synopsis

Andrew Beckett, a senior associate at a law firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hid the fact that he was gay and had AIDS from his colleagues. One day when Beckett is assigned an important case for the office, one of his colleagues notices something strange about Beckett's body. Beckett takes a few days off from the office, but is immediately fired from the office. Believing this to be unfair discrimination against AIDS patients, Beckett asks Miller, his former enemy, to defend him, but he is turned down due to his prejudice against homosexuals and AIDS patients. However, moved by Beckett's desire to fight alone, Miller decides to accept the request.

Index

• Seeking justice in Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy
• Casting Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington
• Demi's theme of human freedom and liberation
• Jonathan Demme's passion for music

Seeking justice in Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in the 18th century. The Declaration, drafted by Benjamin Franklin, includes ``equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,'' and ``fundamental human rights and the right to revolutionize against tyranny.''

As the title suggests, Jonathan Demme's human drama ``Philadelphia'' (1993) is a story set in this area. Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer fired from his law firm due to AIDS, fights for his dignity. It was the first Hollywood movie to focus on AIDS, and Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor. It is a land that has proclaimed “Equality, Freedom, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” so it is suitable for pursuing this theme.

However, Demi herself chose the title ``Philadelphia'' with a hint of an antonym. ``I thought it was interesting that the title had an ironic feel to it.In the script, it says, ``It's the place where the Declaration of Independence took place, but there's discrimination like in other American cities and towns.'' (“Philadelphia Inquirer” February 28, 1993 issue)

"Philadelphia" preview

Although the theme is AIDS, it also depicts the issue of prejudice against gays. At the time of production, there was an image that AIDS was a disease that was more common among gays, so the issue of discrimination against gays was also an essential element.

After being fired from his job at a major law firm, Andrew attempts to sue the company that fired him. However, they are unable to find a lawyer willing to defend them. She approaches Joe Miller, a black lawyer, but he rejects her offer because he hates gays. However, when she witnesses him being treated unfairly in the library, she ends up taking on his defense.

In recent years, LGBT issues have become more openly talked about, so the idea of ​​him as a gay-hating lawyer feels dated, but the producers chose to portray him as a representative of ordinary people. It seems like he wanted to. The real thrill of the drama of the movie is to see him change and build a friendship with the main character.

Philadelphia has the Greek word for "brotherly love," and the new relationship between the two main characters is at the heart of the film.

Furthermore, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, the current situation overlaps with the issue of discrimination caused by AIDS, and it makes us think of this work as a universal work that deals with discrimination and prejudice.

Casting Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington