WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
It’s a death sentence. There’s no coming back from this. Are your affairs in order? You only have “x” amount of time left, please make every effort spend it well and with those you hold dearest. We’ll make this as pleasant as possible. All phrases often associated with receiving bad news about your health, they carry with them that utter notion of despair that will then never exit your mind. While there may be some truth in physicians delivering such notifications in steady, soothing, yet blunt means as a good thing, it still possesses such cold distance, a detachment that even with the supposed need for the doctor/patient relationship to be such, there are those who certainly believe otherwise.
Facing one of the world’s most insidious diseases, HIV, and her discovery of its presence in India back in 1986, one doctor made a choice most might find exceptionally drastic–she left a highly successful research position to specifically tackle and directly address the newfound HIV virus and its growing impact as an epidemic in India. But, this would not be your standard exploration of the effects the disease had on those unfortunate enough to come into its path. Rather, this affluent physician desired to interact with those who believed in the affliction being the automatic sealing of their fate, providing them with things they never deemed attainable–love and hope. Journey with surprising matchmaker Dr. Suniti Solomon who paved the road for romance in the age of AIDS.
Next, my Mind:
While it may not be the case in every situation, I’ve maintained an ongoing notion when it comes to this continuing cinematic journey that remains intact–sometimes, nothing is more impactful, relevant, inspiring, challenging, persuading, and simply necessary than real life and the holistic truths it encompasses. This is acutely traversed and navigated through this indie documentary effort, which made its Texas premier at the 2019 Dallas Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival sponsored by Toyota USA, from co-director/producer/DOP Ann S. Kim and co-director/producer Priya Giri Desai. In a day and age that is already filled with so much hopelessness, fractured relationships, and/or those who might just feel like love will never come along or be deserved, this 74-minute film utterly destroys all of these concepts in presenting its uniquely touching portrait of finding that partner for life amidst what could have been the most downtrodden times of someone’s existence via battling one of the worst overall diseases present in this world.
It then becomes an even grander illustration of compassion, heart, and the triumph of the human spirit, as it should be, upon witnessing the story of one woman’s dogged efforts to not only reveal AIDS in India, but then choose to vacate a highly lucrative professional life and dedicate herself to studying the malady, manifesting a definitive path ahead that culminates into the means to provide those who find themselves HIV afflicted to realize that not only do they have worth and the possibility of a life in control of their illness, but can also experience the beauty of a pure-hearted relationship with someone else, transcending the disease, and restoring real happiness. Over time, the realities of how we relate to other people have become so blurred and inconsequential, it’s visionary people like Dr. Solomon who make strides in their fields stick out that much more, even to the extent of truly going against every classically known idea of what the doctor/patient relationship in itself is supposed to be. The final benefit is watching as those who most would write off or believe will be alone for the remainder of their life find genuine love and acceptance. It’s beautiful, and it’s the story of Dr. Solomon’s life from that first discovery in 1986 until her passing, leaving behind an ongoing legacy of optimism and belief in the shadow of a monster.
What drives this forward with such potency is how the film addresses its themes and focus by not just highlighting the efforts of Dr. Solomon herself, but diving into the story of two individuals who have first-hand experience with contracting HIV, neither one ever having done a single thing “wrong”, instead truly innocent victims of hard, unfortunate circumstances–Karthik, who’s lived with HIV for 16 years, ever since a random accident caused his exposure, and Manu, a woman who’s arranged marriage left her with a now-former spouse who had the virus and passed it on. Karthik is an intelligent, capable, perfectly affable man who knows what he would desire in a wife, yet reserved, even withdrawn when it comes to actual thought of finding someone he could be compatible with. Manu has the personality everyone would love, vibrant and alive, paired with an IT career that’s made her successful, but hesitates within due to the past experience in marriage, while unintentional, that left her two years and counting with HIV. In learning about Dr. Solomon and her organization, YRG Care Clinic, these two people find a connection neither probably ever thought possible, with personal connection and contact with Dr. Solomon throughout the process, and it is heartfelt, endearing, and sincere watching the impact she has that changes their perspectives about what it is to achieve aspirations and yearn to be loved, successfully finding both, all because of one soul’s desire to help others, posthumously being awarded the Padma Shri.
The visual presentation of the documentary is so wonderfully personal, made effective by the multiple sequences involving interviews with and footage of Dr. Solomon in action, putting feet to faith and pressing towards the goals she’s had from the start to then end up becoming something no one saw coming–professional marriage-broker to the broken. The additional footage of Manu and Karthik is very cleverly executed, and I leave it to you to watch the film to see what I mean, as how it all leads to a deeply affecting finale only caps the genius of how it was shot. Therefore, in total, “Lovesick” takes its namesake and turns it on its head, smartly equating the term with both relational and medical connotations and ultimately delivering a documentary that is a must-see effort. Ideally, it will simply being better awareness of the specter of AIDS and its ongoing effect on those with it whom we need to help. But, hopefully, it goes well beyond that and reminds us that we’re all human, we are all susceptible, and we all have the right to long not only for further cures to treat HIV/AIDS, but to lead by Dr. Solomon’s example and demonstrate higher levels of benevolence and love towards one another.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
