PHILADELPHIA Screens July 1st at Webster University ‘A Tribute to Jonathan Demme’

“I want to know everything about his personal life. Does he frequent those pathetic bars? What other homosexual facilities does he go to? What deviant groups does he secretly belong to?”

PHILADELPHIA screens Saturday, July 1st at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood). This is the eighth and final film in their ‘Tribute to Jonathan Demme’ The movie starts at 8:00pm.

Director Jonathan Demme’s PHILADELPHIA (1993) is a story about the courage of Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks who won his first Oscar for this), who needs to put closure to his life. Of course, he is gay and a victim of AIDS. He has been let go from his job because the higher ups (embodied by Jason Robards) in his firm, filled with misinformation and prejudice, think he will transmit his disease to others. It is. But it was really common when this film was made. Andrew is played to the hilt by Tom Hanks who puts an incredible signature to the role. He obviously studied the disease and its manifestations. I’m aware that some have said that this movie leads to judgment of the gay community, defining by the AIDS epidemic. But, it is my belief, that it took on the issues that were used to persecute these people. Hanks’ character is strong and unyielding, willing to use what is left of his life to fight the forces that are working to crush him. PHILADELPHIA  is an excellent film and a great way for Webster University to close out its tribute to Jonathan Demme.

Admission is:

$6 for the general public
$5 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools
$4 for Webster University staff and faculty

Free for Webster students with proper I.D.