MPC Paris created the visual effects for 120 Beats Per Minute, directed by Robin Campillo.
Members of the advocacy group ACT UP Paris demand action by the government and pharmaceutical companies to combat the AIDS epidemic in the early 1990s. As the film takes place in the early 90’s, the teams worked to correct anachronisms. Our expertise in 3D and recomposed crowds allowed us to show the Parisian protests of the time, aimed at supporting the LGBT communities. In all, over 50 VFX shots were produced to support the director’s creative vision.
A film about love. A film about life. Life stronger than death. A film as a glimpse of hope.”
Robin Campillo
The challenge was significant for the MPC Paris team, the film had to be delivered in time to meet the Cannes festival deadline, where it went on to win two prizes.
The visual effects were created with the purpose to support the narrative. With the help of full CG shots, our team explained the immunodeficiency of this virus and the progress of the AIDS disease in the life of the main character.
To represent the protests of the AIDS associations of the 90’s, the MPC Paris teams had to build crowds with a mix of CG and compositing. Our teams also created the images for an ActUp happening to color the river Seine in Paris pink.
