Pink Palace presents two newly restored classics from one of the pioneers of early gay experimental cinema, Arthur J. Bressan Jr worked across multiple genres to critical acclaim and controversy, his best known film, Buddies screened at Pink Palace last year, now we revisit his early work with a newly restored double bill of erotic gay dramas.

Passing Strangers

A closeted young man finds love, community, and a political awakening when he decides to answer an jaded gay man’s personal ad in Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s feature film debut. One of cinema’s first coming out stories, Passing Strangers is a romantic portrait of gay liberation-era San Francisco told in docu-drama style with evocative 70’s footage of the post-Stonewall era including an early Pride parade.

Forbidden Letters

Shot in the midst of the gay community’s fight against Anita Bryant’s "Save Our Children" campaign, this critically acclaimed feature is a touching look at memory, fantasy, and the psychological tolls of the closet. 

Larry, a young gay man, is trying to pass the time on the day his older lover Richard is set to be released from prison. Unable to clear his head through casual sex, he reads through his letters to Richard — letters he knew he could never send out of fear that an outing would lead to a harsher sentence. As Richard’s release draws nearer, will the spark still be there when he gets out? 

Long unseen since its '79 release, this landmark film is finally available uncut in a new restoration by The Bressan Project.

Pink Palace is a super low fi highly relaxed weekly queer film club that takes place in the basement bar, its a safe space so come along and catch some queer film and pop culture history, each week the film is introduced by curator Andrew Woodyatt, feel free to stay and chat afterwards, participation is encouraged!