Rami Malek makes Cannes debut in AIDS crisis drama 'The Man I Love'

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CANNES, France - Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek made his debut on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet on Wednesday with Ira Sachs' competition film about living with HIV/AIDS in 1980s New York City, "The Man I Love."

"To be a part of it here for the first time in my life and at this age is an extraordinary pinch yourself moment again," the 45-year-old told Reuters ahead of the premiere.

Malek won the Oscar in 2019 for portraying Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody" and also took an Emmy Award for "Mr. Robot" in 2016.

In "The Man I Love," Malek stars as Jimmy, an extravagant stage performer who has recently gotten his spark back after being hospitalised for complications connected to HIV/AIDS.

His partner Dennis, played by Tom Sturridge, and sister Brenda, portrayed by Rebecca Hall, however, are still overprotective of him after his health scare, especially as Jimmy's new neighbour becomes besotted with the performer.

A DAUNTING ROLE

Malek recalled that playing someone so magnetic brought out some insecurities.

"I think he (Sachs) felt like I had a certain magnetism in my own right, but I don't know if I can completely agree with that. Perhaps people see that, but Jimmy's a special character. He's a man of many, many capabilities and talents and they're on display in this film," Malek said.

For the role, Malek performs renditions of Gershwin's "The Man I Love" and Melanie's "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma," which entertainment outlet Deadline called a highlight.

Sachs, known for intimate, character-driven stories exploring love, identity and queer life across decades, said he wanted to capture his own memories of living in New York during that period with the film.

"Even those that were sick and those that died, until that moment when death comes, you are full of life," he recalled.

"The Man I Love" is one of 22 films vying for the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, which will be awarded on Saturday.

(Reporting by Rollo Ross, Writing by Miranda Murray; Editing by Stephen Coates)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 12:23 AM.