Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves

Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves is a powerful Swedish drama mini-series, first aired in 2012 and produced by Sveriges Television. An English version was later released by Arrow Films, broadening the reach of this profound narrative. The series has three parts, each taking the audience on a deeply poignant journey through friendship, love, loss, and the relentless stigma surrounding the subject of HIV/AIDS during the 1980s.

The inspiration behind the series comes from Johan Gardell’s trilogy of the same name, an award-winning author and one of Sweden's best known LGBTQ+ rights activists. The title itself, "Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves", is a direct reference to the ignorance and fear that persisted about a disease that was largely misunderstood at the time. It serves as a grim reminder of how the social handling of the HIV/AIDS crisis impacted the lives and relationships of those affected.

The series is set in early 1980s Stockholm, primarily within the city’s flourishing gay community. It heavily revolves around the lives of two main characters, Benjamin and Rasmus. Benjamin, an introverted young Jehovah’s Witness, encounters Rasmus, an outgoing and all-around likeable fellow who recently moved to Stockholm to start a new, independent life. A chance meeting at a Christmas gathering brings these two individuals from diverse backgrounds together, sparking a profound and complicated love story that the series unabashedly unfolds. Despite the world being polarised by their beliefs and differences, the duo forms a deep bond, providing the central pivot upon which the series spins.

The plot covers a time when HIV/AIDS had just begun spreading through Europe and the United States, reaching Sweden, and in particular, its gay community. As the characters grapple with this new threat, their shared experiences and struggles paint a poignant picture of the harsh reality of the time.

While the series centres around the themes of homosexuality and the AIDS epidemic, the narrative also broaches the effects of religion and tradition on personal beliefs and identity. The multi-faceted personalities of Benjamin and Rasmus, along with their respective backgrounds, offer intriguing explorations of these themes.

Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves is not simply a love story or a depiction of gay life in the 80s. This heart-wrenching drama depicts the human condition in its most vulnerable state. Moments of joy and happiness are intruded by fear, discrimination, and loss as the characters navigate through life amidst the crisis.

Acclaimed director Simon Kaijser, whose directing prowess is already well-established, beautifully adapts this tale of understanding and acceptance onto the screen. Accompanied by the excellent screenplay of the original author, Johan Gardell, the show is a testament to their collaborative storytelling prowess. The cast, featuring Adam Lundgren and Adam Pålsson, bring authenticity to their roles with raw emotion, adding depth and realism to the narrative.

The cinematography too distinctly deserves a mention. The umbral lighting and often dreary settings effectively capture the grim realities of the era, while the careful framing of intimate moments between the characters draws the viewer into their personal realm.

Lastly, the series does not shy away from showing actual events and treatments related to the AIDS crisis in explicit detail and has hence been critically lauded for its uncompromising and respectful representation. As a result, it generated substantial discussion about HIV/AIDs and gay rights.

In essence, Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves is a heartfelt tribute to the lost souls of the AIDS pandemic. With its vivid portrayal of love in testing times and the overarching theme of resilience in the face of adversity, the series provides a sober reflection on history, stirs empathy, and leaves a lasting impact on its viewers.

Despite its historical setting, Don't Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves beautifully weaves timeless lessons on acceptance, equality and love in its narrative, making it an important watch in today's world. This potent series plunges into the depth of human emotions, chronicling life’s ironies and the indomitable spirit of humanity. It pays an emotional homage to those who loved, lost and made a historical plea for acceptance and awareness.