East Side story

“…But the movie watchdogs changed the edgy rock opera’s rating to the more commercially desirable PG-13 after only five language changes and a single cut of a quick syringe needle penetrating the arm of headliner Rosario Dawson, the “Rent” newcomer who plays a heroin-addicted exotic dancer.Dawson sings and dances professionally for the first time here after acting in movies like “Alexander” and “Sin City.” Because of her own underprivileged Lower East Side upbringing, she particulary related to “Rent’s” challenging themes and identified with its importance.”HIV/AIDS has gone under the radar [in America],” Dawson observes. “But it’s a disease that affects all humans. It’s now a pandemic in Africa. We need to put this issue in the hands of today’s teens who are going to see this movie….”"[ SOURCE ]