Pedro

USA, 2008
Length
93 minutes
Director
Nick Oceano
Cast
  • Alex Loynaz
  • Justina Machado
  • Hale Appleman
  • DaJuan Johnson
  • Matt Barr
  • Jenn Liu
  • Karolin Luna
  • Anibal O. Lleras
  • Teresa Hernandez
  • Alexis Garcia
  • Amy Lewis
  • Rafael Mondino
  • Jorge Blanco Cruz
  • Richard Glatzer

Content

PEDRO is based on the true-life story of Pedro Zamora, a Cuban-American who shared his experience living life to the fullest, despite being diagnosed as HIV positive at a young age. When he discovered he was HIV positive, he dedicated the rest of his life to speaking out about his condition to raise awareness in his community; even testifying before the U.S. Congress to argue for more HIV/AIDS
educational programs aimed at youth of colour. He gained nationwide attention in 1994 as a cast member of the MTV-Show THE REAL WORLD. When the director of the film saw Pedro on TV the first time: "Like the rest of the country, I was mesmerised by his story. My vision for PEDRO was to tell his story with the same level of passion and honesty that he lived his life, and to carry his message of HIV prevention and tolerance to new generations". Zamora’s time at the REAL WORLD-house brought a face to the AIDS crisis. When Pedro Zamora’s health began to deteriorate in late 1994, it made front page news nationwide in the US, and his death at age 22 provoked a worldwide outpouring of grief.

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People all over the world mourned the death of Pedro Zamora on 11 November 1994. Born in Havana, this young man made a name for himself for his appearance on the MTV reality show “The Real World: San Francisco”. Pedro moved into the show’s location – a house on Lombard Street – in February 1994. His HIV positive status and his open homosexuality made his involvement in the series controversial. But MTV’s young audience identified easily with this intelligent, good-looking Latino who had all the makings of a star. His presence on the show also meant that audiences in the USA and abroad had to engage with the topic of Aids. Even Bill Clinton cited him as exemplary in this context in a speech before the US Congress.

This screen adaptation of Pedro Zamora’s life depicts his childhood in Havana as the youngest of eight children, his emigration to the USA with part of his family in 1980, his mother’s death from cancer, his work as an Aids activist, his appearance on “The Real World” as well as the short time that was left to him to act subsequently. Pedro’s efforts not only made a deep impression on the target group but also affected film producers Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland: “At the sad age of 17, he took what was then considered a death-sentence – his HIV diagnosis – and turned it into positive motivation. Instead of sinking into depression, Pedro opted for activism. He wanted to change people’s minds – and he did change them – and he still continues to do so."

>>> watch trailer on IMDb.com

Gallery

Credits

Production company
Bunim/ Murray Productions
Original title
Pedro