Backstage drama and superstar cameos: 25 fascinating facts about ‘And The Band Played On’
And The Band Played On is an urgent, tense, and infuriating look at how one scientist, Dr. Don Francis, desperately tried to curb the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and ’90s.With powerful performances and direction by Roger Spottiswoode, And The Band Played On is a vital piece of queer cinema, showing the obstacles faced by activists and researchers as they tried to put a stop to the spread.
Its story is just as affecting today, 30 years after its release.Read on for 25 facts about And The Band Played On...Matthew Modine plays researcher Dr.
Don Francis; Alan Alda plays his rival, Dr. Robert Gallo; Sir Ian McKellen plays gay activist Bill Kraus; out actor B.D. Wong is Kico Govantes, Kraus’ lover; Lily Tomlin plays Dr.
Selma Dritz; and many other stars appear in small roles, including Richard Gere.His character is said to be inspired by famed stage director and choreographer Michael Bennett, who died of AIDS and is featured in the film’s ending montage.Goldberg had to bow out after getting pneumonia.
