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Media, Journalism & Film Department Blog

Remembering The Normal Heart: screening and Q & A

Join the departments of media, journalism and film and theatre and dance for a free screening of new documentary “Remembering the Normal Heart Controversy.” A Q-and-A session with the filmmakers will follow.

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New documentary “Remembering the Normal Heart Controversy” will screen on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Plaster Student Union Theatre. A talk-back session with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

This film explores the controversy, politics — and ultimately — violence that swirled around a 1989 Missouri State production of Larry Kramer’s play The Normal Heart, which depicts the early days of the HIV-AIDS epidemic.

In revisiting these events, the documentary examines the complex and sometimes volatile issues that surround freedom of speech. It combines personal stories, perspectives and archival news footage to bring these ideas to life.

Key details

  • What: “Remembering the Normal Heart Controversy in Springfield, Missouri” — documentary and talk-back session
  • When: 7:00 p.m., Feb. 11
  • Where: Plaster Student Union Theatre
  • Details: Open to the public; admission is free

About the filmmakers

Patricia Moore is Missouri State University theatre alum who started working in documentary and educational film production in Palo Alto, California, in 1970. She has been a licensed mental health counselor for nearly thirty years. Patricia formed “As We Are Productions, LLC” to produce this documentary in memory of theatre friends who died of AIDS in the early stages of the epidemic.

Dax Bedell is an Emmy Award-winning editor and creative director who has worked in film and television since 2001. A Springfield, Missouri, native and graduate of Drury University, he has produced dozens of documentaries and hundreds of feature segments for PBS and other major networks nationwide. Dax is a founding member of The Corps, an international artist collective and production company that provides creative services for projects around the world.

Learn more

Remembering the Normal Heart flyer

For more about the documentary and the history of these events, access the flyer.

Remembering the Normal Heart Flyer

2014 exhibits and discussion

This screening is part of Missouri State’s continued engagement with the ideas raised during the 1989 production.

In 2014, Missouri State and community partners examined the Normal Heart controversy through exhibits and panel discussions.