The documentary by Jeffrey Schwarz, Commitment to Life, explores the incredible drama of the 1980s. When a young doctor at UCLA reports a strange immune disorder among gay men, the first warming sign of the epidemic that was to come.

This documentary, specifically spotlights the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles, with programs like AIDS Project Los Angeles and ACT UP. Through stories of those who lived through it, viewers will get a better picture of how this group of people had to come together and fight this on their own when the rest of the world seemed to turn its back on them.

As well as how Hollywood and celebrities like Rock Hudson, Easy-E, Elizabeth Taylor, Magic Johnson, and David Geffen were able to help change the perception of the immune disorder, in a society that was clouded by uneducated fear.

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Commitment to Life recently had its West Coast Premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. LRM Online’s Manny Gomez had a chance to speak with Jeffrey Schwarz. He is the director, editor, and producer for the documentary.

In our conversation, we look at the tone of the film, being that despite the dire circumstances that are being depicted throughout the documentary, it shows audiences how much hope these people carried with them through these years. Also on the importance of Hollywood in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It was a great conversation that you can check out below!

Here is the synopsis to Commitment for Life:

Against a rich Hollywood backdrop, “Commitment to Life” documents the true story of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles — and how an intrepid group of people living with HIV/AIDS, doctors, movie stars, studio moguls and activists changed the course of the epidemic.