Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.

In Passing Strangers, a closeted gay teenager (Robert Adams) finds love, community and a political awakening when he decides to answer a personal ad from an older, jaded man (Robert Carnagey). One of cinema's first coming out stories, Passing Strangers is a romantic portrait of gay liberation-era San Francisco that still resonates today. Robert Adams returns in Forbidden Letters as Larry, a man trying to pass time on the day his older lover Richard (Richard Locke) is set to be released from prison. Unable to clear his head through casual sex, he reads through his letters to Richard - letters he could never send out of fear that his outing would lead to a harsher sentence. As Richard's release draws nearer, the question remains: will the spark still be there when he gets out?

In Passing Strangers, a closeted gay teenager (Robert Adams) finds love, community and a political awakening when he decides to answer a personal ad from an older, jaded man (Robert Carnagey). One of cinema's first coming out stories, Passing Strangers is a romantic portrait of gay liberation-era San Francisco that still resonates today. Robert Adams returns in Forbidden Letters as Larry, a man trying to pass time on the day his older lover Richard (Richard Locke) is set to be released from prison. Unable to clear his head through casual sex, he reads through his letters to Richard - letters he could never send out of fear that his outing would lead to a harsher sentence. As Richard's release draws nearer, the question remains: will the spark still be there when he gets out?

A collection of five early short films by filmmaker Arthur J. Bressan Jr.

When 25 year-old gay yuppie David volunteers to be a “buddy” to an AIDS patient, the gay community center assigns him to Robert, a 32 year-old politically impassioned gay gardener abandoned by his friends and lovers. Throughout his visits to Robert’s hospital room, the two men become friends.

When 25 year-old gay yuppie David volunteers to be a “buddy” to an AIDS patient, the gay community center assigns him to Robert, a 32 year-old politically impassioned gay gardener abandoned by his friends and lovers. Throughout his visits to Robert’s hospital room, the two men become friends.

When 25 year-old gay yuppie David volunteers to be a “buddy” to an AIDS patient, the gay community center assigns him to Robert, a 32 year-old politically impassioned gay gardener abandoned by his friends and lovers. Throughout his visits to Robert’s hospital room, the two men become friends.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 is the story of two lifeguards, one gay, one straight. Their friendship is platonic, though Todd, the gay one, wishes it were not.

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.

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.

Erotic, explicit letters between a young man and his incarcerated lover recall happier (and hotter) times.

Erotic, explicit letters between a young man and his incarcerated lover recall happier (and hotter) times.

Erotic, explicit letters between a young man and his incarcerated lover recall happier (and hotter) times.

Erotic, explicit letters between a young man and his incarcerated lover recall happier (and hotter) times.

Shot on one day by 25 different cameramen across the USA under the co-ordination of Arthur J. Bressan Jr. this film documents Gay Pride parades across the United States in the late 70s.

Shot on one day by 25 different cameramen across the USA under the co-ordination of Arthur J. Bressan Jr. this film documents Gay Pride parades across the United States in the late 70s.

Shot on one day by 25 different cameramen across the USA under the co-ordination of Arthur J. Bressan Jr. this film documents Gay Pride parades across the United States in the late 70s.

Passing Strangers tells the story of two gay men in San Francisco who meet via a newspaper ad and fall in love. Robert is an 18 year-old high school senior who is the object of affection for Tom. Tom’s curly locks and luscious good looks seem to make him irresistible to all — as he spends his time cruising Polk Street, going to the baths and the bars — but when Robert responds to his personal ad in the gay paper, Tom finds himself falling in love.

Passing Strangers tells the story of two gay men in San Francisco who meet via a newspaper ad and fall in love. Robert is an 18 year-old high school senior who is the object of affection for Tom. Tom’s curly locks and luscious good looks seem to make him irresistible to all — as he spends his time cruising Polk Street, going to the baths and the bars — but when Robert responds to his personal ad in the gay paper, Tom finds himself falling in love.

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.

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.