HBO announced yesterday that they will debut an array of diverse, timely and thought-provoking documentary films in the coming months including Larry Kramer (Working Title) this May.
The documentary, which will coincide with the debut of the
HBO Films drama "The Normal Heart," is an intimate look at the life and work of the acclaimed playwright, novelist and essayist. The film spotlights Kramer's work as an iconic LGBT rights activist and co-founder of ACT UP, an advocacy group working to improve the lives of people with AIDS. Directed by Jean Carlomusto.
HBO Films' presentation of THE NORMAL HEART will star Academy Award nominee
Mark Ruffalo ("The Kids Are All Right"),
Matt Bomer ("White Collar"),
Taylor Kitsch ("Lone Survivor"), Emmy(R) winner
Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory") and Academy Award winner
Julia Roberts.
Directed by Emmy winner
Ryan Murphy ("Eat Pray Love," "Glee") and written by Academy Award nominee
Larry Kramer ("Women in Love"), adapting his groundbreaking Tony Award-winning play of the same name, the drama tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS
Crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, taking an unflinching look at the nation's sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fight to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city and nation in denial. THE NORMAL HEART will debut exclusively on
HBO in May.
The film also stars
Alfred Molina ("An Education"), Tony Award winner
Joe Mantello ("Law & Order"),
Jonathan Groff (HBO's "Looking"), Denis O'Hare (HBO's "True Blood"),
Stephen Spinella ("Milk"),
Corey Stoll ("House of Cards"),
Finn Wittrock ("Unbroken") and
BD Wong (HBO's "Oz"). An
HBO Films presentation of a Plan B and Blumhouse production in association with
Ryan Murphy Productions, THE NORMAL HEART is executive produced by
Ryan Murphy,
Dante di Loreto ("Glee"),
Jason Blum (the "Paranormal Activity" series),
Brad Pitt ("Moneyball"), Dede Gardner ("12 Years a Slave").
Mark Ruffalo co-executive produces;
Scott Ferguson (HBO's "
Temple Grandin") produces.
Ruffalo portrays Ned Weeks, who witnesses first-hand a mysterious disease that has begun to claim the lives of many in his gay community and starts to seek answers.
Matt Bomer plays Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Ned's lover.
Taylor Kitsch plays Bruce Niles, a closeted investment banker who becomes a prominent AIDS activist.
Jim Parsons plays gay activist Tommy Boatwright, reprising his role from the 2011 Broadway reviv
Al. Roberts plays physician Dr. Emma Brookner, a
Survivor of childhood polio who treats several of the earliest victims of HIV-AIDS.
Alfred Molina plays Ned's older brother, Ben, who is a successful attorney.
Joe Mantello plays Mickey Marcus, who is an instrumental member of the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
Jonathan Groff plays Craig, Bruce's lover, an early victim of HIV-AIDS. Denis O'Hare portrays Hiram Keebler, Mayor Koch's gay aide.
Stephen Spinella plays Sanford, one of Dr. Brookner's first patients.
Corey Stoll portrays presidential senior advisor
John Bower.
Finn Wittrock plays Albert, a male model.
BD Wong portrays Buzzy, a nurse who works with Dr. Brookner.
In 1981, writer
Larry Kramer hosted a gathering of six gay men and their friends to discuss the "gay cancer," and to talk about fundraising for research. This informal meeting in Kramer's home would lead to the formation of Gay Men's Health
Crisis (GMHC), one of the first advocacy groups for HIV prevention and care.
Kramer's play debuted at New York's Public Theatre in 1985 and was revived in Los Angeles and London, and off-Broadway. The 2011 Broadway revival garnered five Tony nominations, winning for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress.
The talented behind-the-scenes team includes production designer Shane Valentino ("Beginners"), director of photography Danny Moder ("Jesus Henry Christ"), editor Adam Penn ("American Horror Story"), costumer designer Daniel Orlandi (HBO's "Game Change"), composer Cliff Martinez ("Drive") and casting directors Amanda Mackey ("The Proposal") and Cathy Sandrich Gelfond ("Ronin").
Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski
Source: HBO
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