By Joanna Orland @ TIFF 2026
The latest work from director Ira Sachs is a personal film, based on his experience in New York City during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. The Man I Love tells the story of Jimmy (Rami Malek), an actor and performance artist who is dying of the disease. Tom Sturridge plays Dennis, Jimmy’s romantic partner and caretaker.
Rather than focus on Jimmy’s disease, The Man I Love is a story of life and what makes it worth living. It’s about persevering through creativity and art, no matter what obstacles are in your way. In some ways, the disease weighs more heavily on Dennis rather than Jimmy, as the artist longs to create one last performance before his death. Ira Sachs, Rami Malek, and Tom Sturridge were in attendance for the film’s TIFF 2026 premiere.
The Man I Love: Ira Sachs
“The darkness was so complete, and I found during the pandemic only finding a way to express myself through art was what got me through the days. ” – Ira Sachs
–
“They need to be both of the everyday and of the unreal. And Rami has that beautiful balance.” – Ira Sachs
–
The Man I Love: Q&A With Rami Malek and Tom Sturridge
“I think once you discover what real pleasure is, it’s a struggle to ever think of life without it.” – Rami Malek
–
“The thing that I thought was extraordinary about this story was the profound creative act that that love was.” – Tom Sturridge
–
The Man I Love
Directed by Ira Sachs
Starring Rami Malek, Tom Sturridge, Rebecca Hall, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Luther Ford, Sasha Lane, and Maisy Stella
TIFF Premiere September 16, 2026
–
PHOTO GALLERY:
–