Pink Narcissus, the 1971 gay cult classic by James Bidgood follows the surreal, bejeweled dreams of pouty-lipped teen beauty (Bobby Kendall) as he imagines himself a matador, a harem boy and a leather-jacked cyclist.
There was great mystery for many years as to who was the creator of this film. Long attributed to “Anonymous,” this was the passion project and unique vision of James Bidgood, who spent 7 years on this labor of love- creating the sets and costumes in his Times Square apartment. Only to have it taken away and edited by others.
This poetic, erotic reverie echoes the work of Kenneth Anger (Scorpio Rising), Jack Smith (Flaming Creatures) and Jean Cocteau (but with cock). His homoerotic photographs for 60s’s beefcake magazines like The Young Physique and Demi-Gods were often stills of Bobby Kendall in Pink Narcissus. They have been an inspiration to countless artists and photographers.
This is a gorgeous new restoration of a sexy, mad masterpiece.
Pink Narcissus will play at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music/30 Lafayette Ave) April 7
Metrograph (7 Ludlow St.) April 11, 12, 13
It’s Peter in Never Never Land!