Pat Rocco

This entertaining and enlightening documentary sheds a light on a pioneering moment in film history and the gay rights movement, as it revisits the break-through 1960s gay films of Pat Rocco. Rocco was responsible for the very first gay films that were shown openly to the paying public in the late 1960s. Situated before hardcore porn became the norm, and in marked contrast to the somewhat darker gay porn that was coming out of New York at the time. Pat Rocco’s film were more sun-dappled, featuring tanned and happy-looking naked men on sail boats and on beaches, celebrating their identities and the beauty of the male body. The filmmakers got to talk to the generous, rather humble and open-minded Rocco just before his death. It took a team of dedicated Canadian filmmakers to capture a fairly obscure moment of indie film history that deserves to be remembered.

Pat Rocco's fictionalized document of the 1977 Christopher Street West carnival and parade.

Pat Rocco's fictionalized document of the 1977 Christopher Street West carnival and parade.

Pat Rocco's fictionalized document of the 1977 Christopher Street West carnival and parade.

Pat Rocco's fictionalized document of the 1977 Christopher Street West carnival and parade.

A look at the Gay Pride Celebrations in San Francisco and L.A. in the US bicentennial year of 1976.

A look at the Gay Pride Celebrations in San Francisco and L.A. in the US bicentennial year of 1976.

A bisexual hustler tries to find a niche in the disparate worlds of straights and gays. He begins exploring relationships with members of both worlds, but his affairs do not go well.

A bisexual hustler tries to find a niche in the disparate worlds of straights and gays. He begins exploring relationships with members of both worlds, but his affairs do not go well.

A bisexual hustler tries to find a niche in the disparate worlds of straights and gays. He begins exploring relationships with members of both worlds, but his affairs do not go well.

A bisexual hustler tries to find a niche in the disparate worlds of straights and gays. He begins exploring relationships with members of both worlds, but his affairs do not go well.

Based on the autobiography of the same name, The Light from the Second Story Window recounts the story of a naïve young man who goes to Hollywood in search of “fame and fortune,” but winds up working as a two-bit hustler.

ONE Adventure was filmed in 1972, only three years after the Stonewall riots. The trip was organized by One, Inc., whose members wanted a record of the trip to show audiences at home. The film chronicles a trip across Europe with Pat Rocco, Rev. Troy Perry, and six others.

ONE Adventure was filmed in 1972, only three years after the Stonewall riots. The trip was organized by One, Inc., whose members wanted a record of the trip to show audiences at home. The film chronicles a trip across Europe with Pat Rocco, Rev. Troy Perry, and six others.

ONE Adventure was filmed in 1972, only three years after the Stonewall riots. The trip was organized by One, Inc., whose members wanted a record of the trip to show audiences at home. The film chronicles a trip across Europe with Pat Rocco, Rev. Troy Perry, and six others.

ONE Adventure was filmed in 1972, only three years after the Stonewall riots. The trip was organized by One, Inc., whose members wanted a record of the trip to show audiences at home. The film chronicles a trip across Europe with Pat Rocco, Rev. Troy Perry, and six others.

During a 48-hour pass, a cute young navy recruit gets more than he bargains for when he stays at a cheap hotel.

This is the story of Ted, a dreamer whose secret desires come to life as he encounters a variety of men and escapes into elaborate sexual fantasies.

This is the story of Ted, a dreamer whose secret desires come to life as he encounters a variety of men and escapes into elaborate sexual fantasies.

This is the story of Ted, a dreamer whose secret desires come to life as he encounters a variety of men and escapes into elaborate sexual fantasies.

Step into a rose-colored world of a young blind boy who lives in a fantasy of beauty and sex until an escaped convict turns that world upside-down.

Step into a rose-colored world of a young blind boy who lives in a fantasy of beauty and sex until an escaped convict turns that world upside-down.

When a pretty, young country boy with long, golden hair and bronze colored skin arrives in Hollywood from Nebraska, he is quickly introduced to the joy of gay sex during a series of highly capricious encounters involving other sexy young men.

When a pretty, young country boy with long, golden hair and bronze colored skin arrives in Hollywood from Nebraska, he is quickly introduced to the joy of gay sex during a series of highly capricious encounters involving other sexy young men.

When a pretty, young country boy with long, golden hair and bronze colored skin arrives in Hollywood from Nebraska, he is quickly introduced to the joy of gay sex during a series of highly capricious encounters involving other sexy young men.

Pioneering LGBTQ activist and local Los Angeles filmmaker Pat Rocco (1934-2018) is singularly legendary for using his camera not just to joyfully portray gay love, but also as a tool of direct action in documenting the gay revolution of the late 1960s. Among his myriad community efforts includes the founding of S.P.R.E.E., or Society of Pat Rocco Enlightened Enthusiasts, which grew into a major hub and support system for entertainment artists of various stripes. This 30-minute documentary highlights S.P.R.E.E.’s various activities, beginning with a charitable Christmas party and culminating with five kaleidoscopic, orgy-filled minutes of the S.P.R.E.E. drama workshop’s original production of “Myra Breckinb*tch.”

Directed by pioneering gay documentary and erotica filmmaker Pat Rocco, Changes is a profile of Jennifer Michaels, a trans person living in Los Angeles.

A collection of short films by Pat Rocco.

A collection of short films by Pat Rocco.

A collection of short films by Pat Rocco.

A collection of short films by Pat Rocco.

In January 1970, filmmaker and activist Pat Rocco went to a gay nightclub on W. El Segundo Blvd. in the Gardena neighborhood of Los Angeles called Meat Market. They were advertising a nude dancing performance, which had become the focus of some controversy and led to arrests of the dancers and the manager. In the short documentary, Rocco arrives just as one of the arrests is taking place, capturing footage of the police leading the dancers, Michael Craig and Bob Philpot, out of the nightclub. His intention was to film the dance as evidence for a court case involving the dancer Bob Philpot—regarded as the first male nude go-go dancer—who had been previously arrested on obscenity charges. Rocco speaks with Walter Culpepper, a Los Angeles lawyer who represents the dancers charged and explains the nature of the charges. Patrons of Meat Market are interviewed and describe the dance performance as more artistic than sexual in nature.

In January 1970, filmmaker and activist Pat Rocco went to a gay nightclub on W. El Segundo Blvd. in the Gardena neighborhood of Los Angeles called Meat Market. They were advertising a nude dancing performance, which had become the focus of some controversy and led to arrests of the dancers and the manager. In the short documentary, Rocco arrives just as one of the arrests is taking place, capturing footage of the police leading the dancers, Michael Craig and Bob Philpot, out of the nightclub. His intention was to film the dance as evidence for a court case involving the dancer Bob Philpot—regarded as the first male nude go-go dancer—who had been previously arrested on obscenity charges. Rocco speaks with Walter Culpepper, a Los Angeles lawyer who represents the dancers charged and explains the nature of the charges. Patrons of Meat Market are interviewed and describe the dance performance as more artistic than sexual in nature.

Mondo Rocco is a collection of short films weaved together as it was seen in the Park Theater in Los Angeles in 1969/1970. Charming in their innocence, Rocco's films captured important moments in gay history and are an invaluable resource.

Mondo Rocco is a collection of short films weaved together as it was seen in the Park Theater in Los Angeles in 1969/1970. Charming in their innocence, Rocco's films captured important moments in gay history and are an invaluable resource.

This short documentary focuses on protests surrounding a homophobic sign that hung behind the bar of Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood for many years.

Marco Antonio and his friends Francisco and Bruno take you on a perosnal tour of Rio, the Carnival, the Beach and his friends, as well as a secluded look into his bedroom activities.

Marco Antonio and his friends Francisco and Bruno take you on a perosnal tour of Rio, the Carnival, the Beach and his friends, as well as a secluded look into his bedroom activities.

Marco Antonio and his friends Francisco and Bruno take you on a perosnal tour of Rio, the Carnival, the Beach and his friends, as well as a secluded look into his bedroom activities.

Marco Antonio and his friends Francisco and Bruno take you on a perosnal tour of Rio, the Carnival, the Beach and his friends, as well as a secluded look into his bedroom activities.

A wild series of daring "male" movies including "Marco of Rio," filmed entirely in Brazil!!

A wild series of daring "male" movies including "Marco of Rio," filmed entirely in Brazil!!

A wild series of daring "male" movies including "Marco of Rio," filmed entirely in Brazil!!

A wild series of daring "male" movies including "Marco of Rio," filmed entirely in Brazil!!

A nude solo ballet performed in the streets of LA in the early morning hours.

Two young men meet and fall in love in Disneyland.

A collection of short films by Pat Rocco.

A collection of short films by Pat Rocco.

A collection of short films by Pat Rocco.

A handsome male model is involved with a young lady, but begins to question his sexual orientation.

A handsome male model is involved with a young lady, but begins to question his sexual orientation.

A handsome male model is involved with a young lady, but begins to question his sexual orientation.

A handsome male model is involved with a young lady, but begins to question his sexual orientation.

Mike is discovered alone on a lonely beach. His mood is quiet and pensive as he is surprised and disturbed by a young man (Lee) who walks up next to him and smiles down. They boys greet and walk to a more secluded section of the beach. Lee persuades Mike to remove his clothes and they both stretch out and relax in the sun. Now Lee makes a strange advance as he puts his hand on Mike's bare chest and starts to rub downward. Mike grabs Lee's hand and throws it off – realizing the homosexual advances Lee was about to make – and rises to dress and leave. Lee looks sullen and depressed as he realizes he made the wrong move and he walks behind a rock to watch Mike dress. But Mike sees Lee. He sees the yearning expression on his face. A strange sensation comes over Mike. He walks behind the rock with Lee and looks deep into his eyes. A silent message is conveyed between the two boys. Slowly, Lee kneels in front of Mike, and Mike allows him to perform a sex act on him.