“Pink Narcissus transcends any niche descriptor that applies—queer, camp, avant-garde, softcore, documentary expressionism—and plunges into the deep end of consciousness-annihilating erotic desire.” – Slant Magazine

“As beautiful and timeless as The Wizard of Oz” according to no less an authority on queer cinema than John Waters, PINK NARCISSUS is a dream-like erotic fantasy about a handsome, self-involved, brooding young man who escapes the realities of his street life through a series of fantasies of incredible beauty. Obsessed with his own perfection, he lives in a dreamworld of fantastic colors, magnificent music, elaborate costumes and strikingly handsome males. In a series of eye-popping sequences he imagines himself as a roman slave chosen by the emperor, as a triumphant matador vanquishing the bull (who is really a black leather clad cyclist), an innocent wood nymph gamboling in the woods, a diaphanously dressed harem boy in the tent of the sheik. He imagines his room as an exquisite jewel-encrusted retreat. But reality constantly intrudes through the depraved lives of the other street people, through the harsh and ugly sounds outside and through the visits of his “johns”. His narcissistic enchantment with his own beauty and lifestyle is marred by one great fear – aging and loss of his youth and good looks. And, in a final terrible glimpse of reality, the jaded “john” becomes himself.

Long credited only to “Anonymous,” PINK NARCISSUS was only acknowledged by its true maker, James Bidgood, twenty years after its original release.

This film is screening as part of Arkadin’s month-long celebration of PRIDE, showcasing a wide array of queer classics, cult favorites, and underseen gems.

Arkadin does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. However, we encourage researching titles to determine if a screening may contain content that could be upsetting to you. Please feel free to contact us for guidance on specific films. Information about content can also be found on Common Sense Media, IMDB and DoesTheDogDie.com, as well as through general internet searches.