In the early 1990s, at the height of the AIDS crisis, singers and actors in New York City created Hearts and Voices, an organization whose mission was to support performers whose AIDS diagnoses resulted in dispiriting hospital stays. In order to lessen their isolation and increase their feelings of dignity and self-worth, these professional entertainers performed for all patients in AIDS units in hospitals around the city.

I began filming the performers in 1994, covering their visits and conducting interviews with them and patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. I also gained exclusive access to document two major Hearts and Voices fundraising events, one of which took place at Symphony Space in Manhattan, featuring numerous Broadway and Hollywood stars and hosted by Liza Minnelli.

About the film

All the hospital ward visits were shot with two cameras, while the fundraising events were filmed with multiple cameras, resulting in close to 50 hours of material in hospital rooms, corridors, lounges and even in a city hospital prison ward. Entertainers include singers Eartha Kitt, Andre DeShields and Maxene Andrews of the Andrews Sisters, comedienne Julie Halston, and actors Milo O’Shea and BD Wong.

All the patients and actors signed release forms. This footage has never been seen before.

We need additional funds to finish and release this film.