Pink Narcissus

+ pre-recorded intro by Todd Wiener, UCLA Archivist

This landmark experimental queer art masterpiece presents the erotically charged dreamscape of a young sex worker in a kaleidoscopic celebration of the male body.

  • Director

    James Bidgood

  • With

    Bobby Kendall, Don Brooks, Charles Ludlam

  • USA 1971. 68min. Total running time 79min

  • Digital 4K (restoration)

  • Certificate

    18

  • A BFI Re-release

While awaiting visits from clients, a beautiful young hustler lounges around in his lurid apartment, daydreaming. Narcissism and lust reign supreme in his fantasies, as he paints himself as protagonist – from harem master to Roman slave boy – surrounded by leather-clad bikers, matadors, male belly dancers and other explicit visions of incredible beauty and concupiscence. The work of visual artist James Bidgood, it was shot over a seven-year period and never completed to his satisfaction. Subsequently released without his consent, it was originally credited to ‘Anonymous’ and shrouded in mystery for nearly 30 years. This canonical work of queer cinema is now presented in an awe-inspiring 4K restoration that makes its mesmerising erotic poetry shine brighter than ever.

Diana Cipriano, Programme & Research Coordinator

Contains scenes of nudity and sex.

Restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive from a 35mm internegative, 35mm print and 35mm track negative. Funding provided by Snapdragon Capital Partners.

Laboratory services by Roundabout Entertainment, Inc., Audio Mechanics. Special thanks to Frameline, Mark Grabowski, Marcus Hu, Michael Lumpkin, Strand Releasing and James Woolley.

Pink Narcissus will be available on BFI Blu-ray and BFI Player on 15 June.

Also available on BFI Player