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Bill Sherwood, Parting Glances, 1986 (still); image: courtesy First Run Features

Film

Parting Glances

Sunday, Oct 15, 2017

6:30 p.m.

Selected by Christine Vachon

“The romantic comedy-drama went positively gay — and gay-positive — in writer-director Bill Sherwood’s 1986 indie feature Parting Glances, a landmark of gay cinema and one of the first American films to address the AIDS epidemic. Steve Buscemi, in his first major role, is Nick, a sardonic rock singer dying of AIDS. Nick is the best friend and former lover of Michael; Michael is steeling himself for the imminent departure of current partner Robert, who’s leaving for a two-year stint overseas. Set in an affluent New York City milieu, Sherwood’s quirky, charming, and tender movie unfolds over a 24-hour period as Michael and Robert cope with their separation anxiety, and with Nick’s illness, and prepare for Robert’s going-away bash.”
— Pacific Cinémathèque

“Mr. Buscemi has a powerfully anarchic presence…and he makes a memorable impression. It is to both his and the film’s credit that the anguish of AIDS is presented as part of a larger social fabric, understood in context, and never in a maudlin light.”
— Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“[Parting Glances] has a tenderness, warmth, humor and, despite its subject, a lightness of heart that will win it many friends…a film of subtle and elegant musicality.”
Time Out



Film Details

Country: USA
Language: English
Year: 1986
Running time: 90 min
Format: 35mm
Director: Bill Sherwood
Screenwriter: Bill Sherwood
Producers: Yoram Mandel, Arthur Silverman
Cinematographer: Jacek Laskus
Editor: Bill Sherwood
Source: First Run Features


35mm restored print courtesy of the Outfest UCLA Legacy Project.

Films and schedules may be subject to change.

Modern Cinema’s Founding Supporters are Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein. Support is provided by Nion T. McEvoy and the Susan Wildberg Morgenstein Fund. This season of Modern Cinema is generously supported by James C. Hormel and Michael P. Nguyen.