Common Threads

In the late 1970’s, a mysterious new disease began infecting and killing gay men. Common Threads tells the powerful story of the first decade of the AIDS epidemic, as told through the lives of five very diverse individuals who shared a common fate. Using the monumental NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt as its central metaphor, the film weaves together personal memories and television news stories to expose the U.S. government’s failure to respond to the growing epidemic, and the vibrant protest movement that was born as a result.

Available Formats

DVD: $25.00

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Reviews

"Slams through stereotypes … Slowly, carefully, powerfully, Common Threads takes the cold statistics and gives them very recognizable faces."
 -  The New York Times

 

"As powerful and moving a documentary as you will ever see. A+."
 - People


"A documentary with the cumulative emotional impact of great tragedy."
 - Los Angeles Times

Credits

Produced and Directed by
Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman

Narrated by
Dustin Hoffman

Producer
Bill Couturie

Executive Producers
Howard Rosenman
Sandy Gallin
Carol Baum

Associate Producer
BZ Petroff

Story by
Rob Epstein
Jeffrey Friedman
Cindy Ruskin

 

Edited by
Jeffrey Friedman
Rob Epstein

Director of Photography
Dyanna Taylor
Jean de Segonzac

Music Composed and Performed by
Bobby McFerrin and
Voicestra

Storytellers
Sara Lewinstein
Suzi and David Mandell
Sallie Perryman
Vito Russo (1946-1990)
Tracy Torrey (1940-1988)

Awards

Partial List…

Academy Award
Best Feature Documentary

George Foster Peabody Award
University of Georgia School of Journalism

Emmy Award
Best Original Score - Bobby McFerrin

 

Featured Screenings:

Amsterdam Film Festival

Berlin Film Festival

Hong Kong Film Festival

Institute for Contemporary Art, London

Jerusalem Film Festival

Leningrad Film Festival

London Film Festival

Museum of Modern Art, New York (Permanent collection)

Swedish Film Institute

Sydney Film Festival

Vancouver Film Festival