Ira Sachs explores 1980s New York in The Man I Love

Director Ira Sachs examines the artistic community of 1980s New York City during the HIV/AIDS crisis in his latest drama, The Man I Love. The 95-minute film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026, focuses on the life of a theater artist navigating his health and personal relationships.

The narrative follows Jimmy George, played by Rami Malek, as he attempts to stage a production of Once Upon a Time in the East. Alongside Malek, the cast includes Tom Sturridge as Jimmy’s partner, Dennis; Rebecca Hall as his sister, Brenda; and Luther Ford as a young neighbor named Vincent. Ebon Moss-Bachrach also appears in a supporting role.

Sachs, who co-wrote the script with Mauricio Zacharias, stated that he aimed to capture the local, intimate nature of the downtown performance scene during that era. He noted that the film emphasizes the vitality of the characters' lives rather than relying on traditional genre tropes associated with the period.

Reflecting on his role, Malek said that he approached the character by addressing his own fears. Sachs emphasized the importance of specificity in storytelling, suggesting that focusing on the particular experiences of his characters allows for a broader resonance.

Following its debut in France, the film was screened at the 64th New York Film Festival in October 2026. A review published by Hyperallergic on Nov. 2, 2026, characterized the work as a cinematic elegy that avoids common depictions of the epidemic.