Cannes Embraces Ira Sachs’ ‘The Man I Love’

The 80s-set drama, starring Rami Malek, was greeted with a stirring standing ovation at its competition premiere Wednesday night.

'I can't do this:' Rami Malek feared once again playing a gay singer with AIDS

The actor says he was frightened by so many similarities between his role as the frontman of Queen in Bohemian Rhapsody and the lead role in Ira Sachs' new musical drama, The Man I Love.

Cannes: Rami Malek's Fears In 'Man I Love' After Playing Freddie Mercury

Before taking on a performing artist who is battling AIDs in 1980s New York in Ira Sachs’ latest Cannes feature The Man I Love, star Rami Malek said “I can’t do this, there’s too many similarities.” Similarities to his Oscar winning Best Actor role of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody who also suffered from AIDs.

Rami Malek Nearly Passed on AIDS-Era 'The Man I Love'

Malek almost passed on Ira Sachs' AIDS-era Cannes drama 'The Man I Love,' fearing comparisons to his Oscar-winning turn as Freddie Mercury in 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'
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Rami Malek Had Reservations About Playing a Gay Man in New Film After Portraying Freddie Mercury

Rami Malek opened up during a press conference at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival about his initial reluctance to star in director Ira Sachs‘ new musical drama The Man I Love, according to a Thursday, May 21 report from Entertainment Weekly.

Rami Malek Thought Playing Another Character with AIDS 'Could Be Problematic' After Portraying Freddie Mercury

I can’t do this, there’s too many similarities [between the two]," the actor recalled thinking while comparing his new character in 'The Man I Love' and Freddie Mercury