Blast from the Past
James Bidgood directed Pink Narcissus, a pioneering gay indie, starring stage actor Charles Ludlam, and then unknowns Bobby Kendall, and Don Brooks.
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A handsome male hustler (Bobby Kendall) fantasizes about worlds in which he is his own agency. Thus, he pictures himself as a matador, a Roman slave boy, and even an emperor who condemns him.
Bidgood claimed to have been inspired by the British dance film The Red Shoes and iconic actress Maria Montez.
Most of the film’s extras were randomly found on the streets during “talent searches.”
The film was shot on 8 mm, in a deliberately kitschy style, defined by ultra- bright lighting and intense colors.
Aside from its last climactic scene, in downtown Manhattan loft, the low-budget indie was shot in Bidgood’s small New York apartment over a seven-year (1963 to 1970) period.
It was ultimately released without the consent of the director, who was credited as Anonymous. As the filmmaker’s name was unknown, there were rumors that Andy Warhol was behind it. In the 1990s, writer Bruce Benderson finally verified that it was Bidgood; he was still living in Manhattan.
In 1999, a book about Bidgood’s photographic and filmic work was written by Benderson published by Taschen
In 2003, the film was re-released by Strand, and in 2025 Strand restored the movie in 4K resolution.
It will screen in April 2025, as part of NewFest “So Obsessed” series in NYC’s BAM.
Credits:
Produced, directed, written by James Bidgood
Cinematography James Bidgood
Edited and music by Martin Jay Sadoff
Distributed by Sherpix; Strand Releasing (2003 re-release)
Release date: May 24, 1971
Running time: 71 minutes
Budget $27,000 (estimated)
