The 1971 cult classic film Pink Narcissus, a cornerstone of queer art cinema, is receiving renewed acclaim with a complete 4K restoration set for its Australian premiere. Directed by visionary photographer James Bidgood, the film follows the escapist fantasies of a handsome young sex worker as he retreats from the harsh realities of street life into a kaleidoscope of elaborate, jewel-encrusted dreamscapes. This restoration will be screened at Sydney’s Golden Age Cinema and Bar during the First Films festival, running from November 5 to 9, 2025.
The restoration project, completed in 2025, is part of a broader movement to preserve key works of queer cinema. Organizations like Frameline are dedicated to ensuring films like Pink Narcissus can be experienced by new generations on the big screen in the highest quality. This Australian premiere aligns with international screenings at venues such as the Roxie Theater in San Francisco, the Grand Illusion Cinema in Seattle, and the Loft Cinema in Tucson, all presenting the film’s restored print to enthusiastic audiences.
Pink Narcissus’s influence extends far beyond its initial underground release, having shaped the aesthetic and thematic approaches of several LGBTQIA+ photographers and artists over subsequent decades. Its seductive blend of eroticism, fantasy, and introspection remains potent today, with the restoration promising to revitalise its rich colours and intricate visual style in ways that resonate strongly in contemporary queer culture.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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