Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.
Directing
Biography
One of the pioneers of independent gay cinema in the 1970s and '80s, Arthur J. Bressan, Jr. is best known for his 1985 drama, "Buddies" (the first dramatic feature film about AIDS). Working across multiple genres including documentary, narrative, adult and short form filmmaking, Bressan's boldness and artistry as a writer–director earned him both acclaim and controversy over the course of his decade-long filmmaking career.
Known For
Documentary about the gay rights movement during the year of 1977, capturing the intersections of diversity in queer life; from vox pop style interviews with lesbian feminists, street drag queens, and straight allies to taking a look at the fight against Anita Bryant and her notorious "Save Our Children" campaign.
Gay USA
David, a naive graduate student, has volunteered to work as a 'buddy' for people dying of AIDS. Assigned to the intensely political Robert, a lifelong activist whose friends and family have abandoned him following his diagnosis, the two men, each with notably different world views, soon discover common bonds, as David's inner activist awakens and Robert's need for emotional release is fulfilled.
Buddies
Brutally abused by his parents, teenage Thomas finds comfort in associating with a film director who is making a documentary about physical child abuse. The two fall in love, and the elder is faced with the decision of either running away with Thomas or focusing on his career and thereby letting the boy possibly be beaten to death.
Abuse
JFK documentary directed by Arthur J. Bressan Jr.
Thank You, Mr. President: The Press Conferences of JFK
Similar to his 1977 feature documentary, Gay USA, this debut short from Arthur J. Bressan, Jr. features interviews with participants in San Francisco's 1972 Gay Freedom Day celebration - the first organized gay pride parade in the city.
Coming Out
A collection of five early short films by filmmaker Arthur J. Bressan Jr.
Arthur J. Bressan Jr.'s Early Super 8 Shorts
Unable to clear his head through casual sex, Larry reads through his letters to Richard, his older lover set to be released from prison.
Forbidden Letters
When Kevin, a unhappily married man retreats into his fantasy world of unbridled sex.
A Family Affair
A closeted gay teenager finds love, community, and a political awakening when he decides to answer an older, jaded man's personal ad.
Passing Strangers
Kevin, an unhappily married man, retreats into a fantasy world of sex with a young blond man. He also imagines his office boy, played by Jake Stryker, masturbating among the law books. The film is highlighted by beautiful close-ups of a cock-worshipper performing loving fellatio on a big dick that is shaped like the SST.
Family Affair
New York director Edward Thompson is making his latest "all male! all action!" triple-X feature, but there's another movie running in his head -- a film of fantasies about an ex-lover, his current cast, and the two young men across the courtyard.
Daddy Dearest
Pleasure Beach is the story of two lifeguards, one gay, one straight. Their friendship is platonic, though Todd, the gay one, wishes it were not.
Pleasure Beach
A lonely photographer working for a gay magazine wanders around New York City searching for models while having dreams about a jogger he met and photographed in the park.
Juice
Two completely opposite gay boys, one a cruiser and one a bookworm, end up meeting and find a connection with each other.