The Bressan Project

Happy Pride #repost from @anthonyaguiar who proclaims that Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s Gay USA (1977) “might be the best Pride film ever!” It’s available to watch now via @primevideo for free. Or check it out on @vimeo on demand via @framelinefest . Or buy the Blu-ray/DVD from @alteredinnocence . Also: Thank you to @uclaftvarchive for the amazing restoration!

The original promo flyers for these two gay adult classics. Watch now via @pinklabeltv or @alteredinnocence

❤️‍🔥 Cruising on Polk Street clip from Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s Passing Strangers (1979)! #repost from @riocinema 💓

Spotlight on Buddies (1985): Arthur J. Bressan Jr. created this indie masterpiece in 1985, which was the first feature-length drama about AIDS. When 25 year-old gay yuppie David (David Schachter) volunteers to be a "buddy" to an AIDS patient, the gay community center assigns him to Robert (Geoff Edholm), a 32 year-old politically impassioned gay California gardener abandoned by his friends and lovers. Revolving around the confines of Robert's Manhattan hospital room, Bressan skillfully unfolds this devastating two-hander (the rest of the cast is only heard offscreen). As David gazes out at the piers and rooftops of Manhattan, we hear his deftly scripted diary entries in voiceover. And as David is changed by knowing Robert, so, too, are we. In the simplicity of the story and the elegance of its unfolding, Buddies achieves a rare perfection. It's a timeless portrayal of an entire era in gay history. @framelinefest , the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, presented the film's original world premiere on September 12th, 1985 at the Castro Theatre as a benefit for the @shantiprojectsf , with Bressan and his cast in attendance. Five days later, on September 17th 1985, President Ronald Reagan said the word "AIDS" in public for the first time. Sadly, Bressan and actor Geoff Edholm both died of AIDS, in 1987 and 1989 respectively. Buddies was restored and re-released in 2018 and is now available on streaming via the Frameline Distribution @vimeo channel and other platforms. Link in bio. Or own it on Blu-ray and DVD from @vinegarsyndrome !

Thank you Melissa Anderson for this powerful appreciation of Gay USA (1977) in this fantastic new volume of film criticism from @thefilmdesk ! And so great to be paired with @schiller.greta ’s Before Stonewall from @jezebelfilmsproductions Check the links in our bio to watch Gay USA on streaming or buy it on Blu-ray or DVD!

Tonight at 7pm in New York, there will be a special 40th anniversary screening of Arthur J. Bressan Jr.’s Buddies @ifccenter programmed by @schlockvalue & @keeganofcourse as part of their regular Cruising at the Movies series with an introduction & post-screening Q&A with LGBTQ+ film historian @jenniolsonsf , @bressanproject co-founder Roe Bressan, & star David Schachter. Read our exclusive interview with Schachter about his memories of making the film at TheQueerReview.com. Arthur “Artie” J. Bressan Jr.’s Buddies, written, shot & released in 1985, was the first narrative feature film to deal with AIDS. It follows a volunteer ‘buddy’ David (David Schachter) as he begins to visit a man with AIDS, Robert (Geoff Edholm), in his hospital room & the impact that they have on one another’s lives. It was a desperate hour for the gay community & the film, with its moving, intimate story, was an urgent call for people to start talking about AIDS, to take action & to treat those who were dying with dignity. Shot on 16mm film, following Bressan’s death from an AIDS-related illness just two years after it was made, Buddies fell out of circulation for many years. Rediscovered, it has now been restored & is available on blu-ray, DVD, and VOD, thanks to the persistence of Jenni Olson & Artie’s sister Roe Bressan, who co-founded The Bressan Project together. This evening marks a rare chance to see the film on the big screen. 📸 Robert (Geoff Edholm) and David (David Schachter) in Arthur J. Bressan Jr.’s Buddies. Courtesy of @bressanproject . #arthurjbressanjr #buddies #hivaids #aidsawareness #queerfilm #queerfilmmaker #gayhistory #queerhistory #lgbtqhistory #filmhistory #thequeerreview #lgbtq

BUDDIES star Geoff Edholm interviewed on a 1985 episode of the Manhattan Cable series GAY MORNING AMERICA. You can catch BUDDIES tomorrow night at @ifccenger with special guests star David Schachter and @bressanproject ’s Jenni Olson and Roe Bressan. Tickets at the link in our bio.

Please join me this Monday night December 15th at 7pm for a very special 40th anniversary screening at the @ifccenter of Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s BUDDIES — the first American theatrical feature film about AIDS. David (David Schachter) is a twentysomething gay yuppie who volunteers to be a “buddy” to older AIDS patient Robert (Geoff Edholm). Initially put off by Robert’s very 70s gay lib sensibilities and political consciousness, David soon finds himself growing closer to his new friend—and becoming changed in the process. Presented as part of the monthly queer series programmed and hosted by Elizabeth Purchell @schlockvalue and KJ Shepherd @keeganofcourse , Cruising the Movies. With special guests: Buddies co-star David Schachter and Bressan Project co-director @roebressan .

Coming up at @ifccenter on Monday! A 40th anniversary screening of Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s groundbreaking BUDDIES — the first American narrative feature about AIDS — with special guests star David Schachter and @bressanproject ’s Roe Bressan and Jenni Olson. Tickets at the link in our bio!⁣ ⁣ David (David Schachter) is a twentysomething gay yuppie who volunteers to be a “buddy” to older AIDS patient Robert (Geoff Edholm). Initially put off by Robert’s very 70s gay lib sensibilities and political consciousness, David soon finds himself growing closer to his new friend—and becoming changed in the process. The first American theatrical feature film about AIDS, Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s BUDDIES is a devastating, yet bittersweet drama and a pioneering work of queer independent cinema that’s every bit as powerful 40 years later.

We’re back at @ifccenter on Monday, December 15th for a 40th anniversary screening of Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s groundbreaking BUDDIES — the first American narrative feature about AIDS — with special guests star David Schachter and @bressanproject ’s Roe Bressan and Jenni Olson. Tickets at the link in our bio!⁣ ⁣ David (David Schachter) is a twentysomething gay yuppie who volunteers to be a “buddy” to older AIDS patient Robert (Geoff Edholm). Initially put off by Robert’s very 70s gay lib sensibilities and political consciousness, David soon finds himself growing closer to his new friend—and becoming changed in the process. The first American theatrical feature film about AIDS, Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.’s BUDDIES is a devastating, yet bittersweet drama and a pioneering work of queer independent cinema that’s every bit as powerful 40 years later.

As LGBTQ History Month comes to an end we’re proud to announce that Arthur Bressan’s pioneering LGBTQ documentary Gay USA (1977) and his groundbreaking gay drama Buddies (1985) are now available to watch via @kanopy — free with your public library card or university login. Both films were restored with the help of the @outfest @uclaftvarchive Legacy Project with support from @framelinefest @vinegarsyndrome and others. Arthur’s wonderful gay adult dramas Passing Strangers (1974) and Forbidden Letters (1979) are also available to watch thanks to @alteredinnocence — yet more important and fabulous history! Click the link in our bio for full details and Happy LGBTQ History Month! ❤️‍🔥🏳️‍🌈💪

Starting this Friday at @musicboxchicago — SEX, LOVE & LIBERATION: THE FILMS OF ARTHUR J. BRESSAN, JR. — featuring the Bressan Project’s 2K restorations of five features, programmed by @zackpaslay . Tickets available at the link in our bio!