Sofia Coppola, Andrew Durham Spotlight 1992 AIDS Losses in 'Fairyland' as Queer Fears Resurface
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 28
Sofia Coppola, Andrew Durham Spotlight 1992 AIDS Losses in 'Fairyland' as Queer Fears Resurface
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 28
Andrew Durham said directing "Fairyland" forced him to revisit caring for his father, who—like memoir subject Steve Abbott—died of AIDS in 1992.
The adaptation drew unusually directly from Durham’s life: he grew up with a gay father in the Bay Area, added scenes on HIV dementia and AZT side effects, and said those men became “guinea pigs” for later generations.
Sofia Coppola, 55, produced rather than directed the film after optioning Alysia Abbott’s 2013 memoir, backing Durham’s feature debut because their experiences and sensibilities aligned.
Both film-makers said the story feels newly urgent in 2026, arguing its portrait of varied families answers a renewed climate of fear and prejudice around queerness.
Can a film about a father's past sacrifices change how we view parental support for LGBTQ+ youth today?
With queer families facing new legal hurdles, what does this story of 1970s San Francisco tell us about progress?
"Fairyland" in 2026: Measuring the Film’s Enduring Impact on LGBTQ+ Memory and AIDS Education
Overview
Fairyland, released in theaters on October 10, 2025, and distributed by Lionsgate and Willa, continues to resonate with audiences as of May 2026. The film first gained attention at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, where it was praised for its heartfelt storytelling and strong performances. Andrew Durham made his feature directorial debut with this film, which explores the journey of Alysia Abbott and her relationship with her gay father in 1970s and 1980s San Francisco. Through its honest depiction of queer family life and the impact of the AIDS crisis, Fairyland remains a powerful and relevant cultural touchstone.