Passing Strangers - Film by Arthur J. Bressan, Jr. July 28, 2011

Two men meet through a personal ad in the Bay Area Reporter, and an intense relationship begins. Somewhere between gay porn and art film, this extremely rare work combines explicit scenes and elements of tenderness (like holding hands and amorous courting) generally lacking in more graphic films of the time. Director Arthur J. Bressan, Jr. went on to make several key (non-porn) films in the history of gay cinema, including Gay USA and Abuse. Winner of the first prize at the San Francisco Museum Erotic Art Film Festival. (1974, 60 min, 16mm)

Part of the Smut Capital of America: San Francisco’s Sex Cinema Revolution film series during Bay Area Now 6 at YBCA. Upcoming films in the series: Hard Shorts, Thursday, Aug. 4, 7:30pm; The Meatrack, Friday, Aug. 5, 7:30pm; Streetwalkers, Thursday, Aug. 11, 7:30pm; Wildcard Night (surprise film), Thursday, Aug. 18, 7:30pm; Resurrection of Eve, Thursday, Aug. 25, 7:30pm.

Official Website: http://www.ybca.org