A Study of Prejudice for Homosexuals or Aids People in the Film of
Philadelphia
In American 1980’s AIDS was firstly affirmed from some homosexual people. This fact was made this group people becoming the attacked target of right-wing political group, neotascisand, some churches. Also the homosexual people get a lot of prejudice from society. But scientists found that about 80 percent people was infected AIDS during heterosexual people. There a few lesbian are infected AIDS. The WHO hope people can get the right attitude and more care to the AIDS people. This is just a hope. In the real society, there exists prejudice no matter how high people’s education background or how high people’s social status. The film Philadelphia is a symbolic work which reflects the real condition of that time in America.
Philadelphia is the oldest and the sixth largest city in the United States. It is also the largest city of Pennsylvania. The word Philadelphia is consists of two Greek words: one is philos, which means love; the other one is adelphos, which means brother. So the city of Philadelphia is also called the city of brotherly love. It is the reason that why the film was called Philadelphia. One of the themes in Philadelphia is homosexual. So the name Philadelphia of this film is apposite.
This film Philadelphia is talk about the homosexual, AIDS patient, prejudice for these two kinds of people and justice. The film presents that the lawyer called Andrew who faired by the reason that he got AIDS seeks his rights and justice in the court by the help of Joe who is the representation of Andrew. At last, they win the case and get the justice. It is a moved story which arouses people’s sympathy and the right attitude toward to homosexuals or AIDS patients.
The author will focus more on the analysis of the prejudice in the film. During the film, when people know Andrew has AIDS, they show more prejudice for Andrew. The film makes successfully in form the character in many sections. The author will illustrate some of successful scenes in forming a outstanding figure who show a great prejudice for homosexuals and AIDS patients.
The first scene is between Andrew and Joe. Andrew was fired by the reason that he lost the document, but the true reason is that Andrew has AIDS. Andrew wants to sue the law office and he needs a representation. Therefore, Andrew goes to Joe’s office and asks him for help. However, Joe is frightened to take out his handshake hand and to back down again and again by knowing the news that Andrew has AIDS. Joe’s face becomes dark and all the warmth actions disappeared. His body language is embarrassed and he deliberately keeps a safe distance with Andrew. When they sit down, Joe watches every motion of Andrew, especially the place where Andrew puts his hat and the things that Andrew touches, also Andrew’s wound in his head. All the actions of Joe clearly show that he has a deep prejudice to the AIDS patients. What’s more, it is hard to accept that there are many homosexuals surround him in his mind. In a word, Joe has a bias of AIDS patients.
Another scene also shows a serious prejudice to AIDS patients. In the library, the manager asks Andrew to go to the private research room twice in an indirect way. Although it is euphemistic, it arouses the other people’s attention because it is easy to understand the manager’s asking which indirectly tells people that Andrew has AIDS. When Joe comes to the scene, the manager goes away. The young man who sits opposite of Andrew goes away soon. The manager and the young show their serious prejudice. Some people, like the young man, show their prejudice according to the people’s external, ever their feelings. They may look at someone or think one looks like an AIDS patient will keep a safe distance with them.
The thought of Joe to AIDS patients changes a litter from this time. However, the essence is not changing in Joe’s inner heart. Joe also think homosexual is sick. Compared with these people, Andrew’s family member play a total different role in the film. They not only accept the fact that Andrew has AIDS and there exist homosexuals in their daily life, but also give a great support to Andrew to take back the rights and justice which belong to a normal people, even belong to Andrew in court.
Joe deeply exposes the prejudice to AIDS patients or homosexuals in the society in the court. In the courtroom, justice blind to matters of race, creed, color, religion
