SILVERLAKE LIFE: THE VIEW FROM HERE {P.O.V.} {POINT OF VIEW} (TV)
Summary
A personal video diary made by two gay men who are dying of AIDS. Filmmaker Tom Joslin and his lover and companion of 22 years, Mark Massi, use a video camera to document how their caring relationship helps them face a variety of day-to-day difficulties that accompany the disease. Such problems include an abundance of medications and treatments; the sometimes antagonistic relationships with relatives; the ravages of physical deterioration; and, ultimately, death. In footage from Tom's film, "Blackstar: Autobiography of an Old Friend," he acknowledges and examines his sexual orientation and his relationship with Mark; while Tom's mother, Mary, tries to be understanding of her son, his father is embarrassed by his sexuality.
Additionally, the video diary features Tom and Mark documenting such daily activities as shopping, driving, and dining in a pizzeria, which leave the pair, particularly Tom, exhausted. The program includes footage of their medical treatment and their attempts to live a dignified life, despite assorted physical ailments. Mary Joslin and Mark take care of Tom as he rapidly declines. But ultimately, Mark tearfully records Tom directly after his death as his lifeless corpse is placed in a body bag. In facing life without Tom, Mark says he is bolstered by Tom's presence in spirit; by Mary, who has become a close friend; and by memories of his late companion.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Blake Byrne.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: November 30, 1993
- RUNNING TIME: 1:40:44
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:30039
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: AIDS (Disease); Death; Diseases; Gays; LGBTQ+ Collection
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1993
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Tom Joslin … Producer, Director
- Peter Friedman … Producer, Director
- Doug Block … Co-Producer
- Jane Weiner … Co-Producer
- Matthew Fassberg … Associate Producer
- Lucia Hwong … Composer
- Charlie Joslin
- Mary Joslin
- Mark Massi
- Jon Samet