Philadelphia Twenty Years Later: Narrative and the Epidemic

Jonathan Demme and the creative team behind Philadelphia come to Columbia University to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking film

NEW YORK, July 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

WHAT:  The Program in Narrative Medicine at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons is hosting an event commemorating the 20^th anniversary of Philadelphia, the groundbreaking film directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. "Philadelphia Twenty Years Later: Narrative and the Epidemic" will mark the milestone with events featuring the team directly involved in the project, as well as those who lived through the era and guided the narrative.

Released in 1993, Philadelphia was one of the first mainstream movies to address HIV/AIDS, homophobia, and discrimination. Tom Hanks and Bruce Springsteen each won an Academy Award for the film, and Ron Nyswaner was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

All proceeds from the event will benefit African Services Committee. AFC provides health, housing, legal, and social services to more than 10,000 newcomers to this country each year, focusing on HIV prevention, testing, care, and advocacy.

The program events will include:

The Making of Philadelphia: Paul Lazar will host a panel discussion with the creative team behind the film: Jonathan Demme (director), Ron Nyswaner (writer), Marc Platt (Sony Studios), and Ed Saxon (producer).

A Song for You: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will present a solo performance choreographed by Alvin Ailey for the Donny Hathaway 1972 version of the classic song.

Activism and Healthcare: Dr. Ron Bayer will host a discussion with Drs. Gerald Friedland and Michael Gottlieb, physician-activists at the forefront of the epidemic.

Artists, Representation, and Activism: Nellie Hermann will host writers Mark Doty and Marie Howe, both of whom explore themes of loss, beauty, care giving, and hope in their poetry and memoirs.

Two Men Talking: A performance created and performed by Paul Browde and Murray Nossel.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 12, 2013, 1pm ET to 9pm ET

WHERE: Alumni Auditorium, Columbia University Medical Center, 650 W. 168 St. (between Broadway and Ft. Washington Avenue), New York, NY 10032

TICKETS: $20 with Columbia University ID, $50 General Public
To purchase tickets in advance, visit http://www.narrativemedicine.org/philadelphia.html.

Program in Narrative Medicine

Through narrative training, the Program in Narrative Medicine helps healthcare professionals and educators to improve the effectiveness of care by developing the capacity for attention, reflection, representation, and affiliation with patients and colleagues. In addition to training faculty and medical students at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in narrative competency, the program offers a Master of Science degree in Narrative Medicine, intensive workshops, and inter-professional education programs designed to foster collaboration among the schools of the Columbia University Medical Center. For more information, visit www.narrativemedicine.org.

Contact:
Scott Alderman
1-212-305-9473
[email protected]  

SOURCE Program in Narrative Medicine