Watch After Louie

After Louie is a 2017 drama film directed by Vincent Gagliostro and starring Alan Cumming, Zachary Booth, and Sarita Choudhury. The film follows the story of Sam (Alan Cumming), a New York City artist who is still dealing with the trauma he experienced during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s. He meets a younger man named Braeden (Zachary Booth), who forces him to confront his past and come to terms with his present. The film is set in present-day New York City and explores the generational divide that exists between gay men who lived through the HIV/AIDS crisis and those who came after. Sam, who is in his early 60s, has been living with HIV for over 30 years and lost many of his friends and lovers to the disease. He is still dealing with the trauma of those years and the guilt he feels for surviving. Braeden, on the other hand, is in his 20s and has grown up in a world where HIV is no longer a death sentence. Despite their age difference, Sam and Braeden begin a relationship that forces them both to confront their emotional baggage. Braeden is eager to learn about Sam's experiences during the AIDS crisis, but Sam is hesitant to talk about it. Throughout the film, Sam has flashbacks to his younger self (played by Anthony Johnston), who was an activist and fought for gay rights and AIDS awareness. The film also explores the changing landscape of New York City and the gentrification that has displaced many of its longtime residents. Sam's rent-controlled apartment is being taken over by his landlord, and he is forced to confront the fact that he may lose his home. The film uses this plot point as a metaphor for the erasure of the history of the AIDS crisis and the people who fought and died during that time. The performances in After Louie are excellent, particularly from Alan Cumming, who gives a nuanced and emotional portrayal of a man still dealing with the trauma of his past. Zachary Booth is also great in his role as Braeden, a young man who is eager to learn and grow from his experiences with Sam. The film is beautifully shot, with the vibrant energy of New York City serving as a backdrop for the deeply emotional story. The cinematography captures both the beauty and the grit of the city, and the editing creates a sense of intimacy that draws the audience into Sam's emotional world. Overall, After Louie is a powerful and emotional film that explores the legacy of the AIDS crisis and the generational divide that exists within the gay community. It is a poignant reminder of the people who fought and died during that time and an important call to action for future generations to recognize and honor that legacy.