Giorni (Days)

From 2001 came this Italian import Giorni, released in the U.S. as Days.  It was the first film to portray a sero-discordant gay male couple.  Because of the time period, there was still some disbelief that the new drug cocktails might actually work long-term.  Claudio leads a regimented life doing the right things, going to the gym, loving his long-term partner, taking the meds that keep his HIV in check and visiting and supporting his family.  When Claudio meets HIV negative Andrea, he throws caution to the wind as the two embark on a reckless, passionate affair.  Created in the fashion of a serious melodrama as only the Italians can do, Days still holds up a dozen years later and is certainly a marker of an uncertain time.  The ending is a little over the top, but not untruthful.  Just well, melodramatic.  I’m still holding on to my original rating of 5 out of 5.  This might not speak to you so personally, but I remember wondering how many more films would be made with sero-discordant couples.  To my knowledge there have been none.  An important piece of cinematic history.