Film Night – Parting Glances (1986)

Launching a special 5-day observation at Village Berlin that’s leads up to World AIDS days 2024 please join us for Bill Sherwood’s subversive “Parting Glances”, in its new restoration, commissioned by OUTFEST Legacy Project in LA.

This was Bill Sherwood’s last and only full feature film as he would die from AIDS related complications in 1990. The film is particularly noteworthy in that it does not treat the subject of AIDS with white gloves but instead it becomes a matter-of-fact part of the story – neither to be over-dramatized nor brushed under the rug. Additionally, despite the films “romantic comedy” tone the film shows a realistic point that is later imposed with dreamlike sequence that emotes the bondings formed under the beginning of HIV and AIDS epidemic. The front-line unique depiction is due largely to Sherwood’s screenplay and Steve Buscemi’s first role as Nick a Bohemian friend and PWA. Not only is this a groundbreaking film in it’s depiction of AIDS, but it also shows a distinct population who would be decimated in only a few more years in the AIDS Epidemic and ongoing Pandemic.

Set over a 24 hour period, the film centers around Michael and Robert, a gay couple in 1984 New York, prepare for Robert’s departure for a two-year work assignment in Africa. Michael must face Robert’s true motives for leaving while dealing with their circle of eccentric friends, including Nick, who is living with AIDS.The film is a zeitgeist of NYC white queer life, showing what was then avant-garde queer value of mixing styles to create new ones. Depicitions of spaces like the Limelight, artist parties in Soho / Tribeca, music by Bronski Beat all point to it’s future influence while remaining true to what would be coming a defining characteristic of the new queer cinema: a subversive new order in which high and low cultures, downtown and uptown, and opera and new wave could mix.

Some topics to be discussed include what subversiveness means during the mid 80’s, how HIV and AIDS birthed movements that last today, subversiveness as a crucial aspect of queerness, and consider the outsider’s eye of the storm point of view. Additionally we will ask how the World AIDS Day Theme “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV ” or those from Visual AIDS: “Red Reminds Me” relate to us today.

This is an open event that begins a 5 day commemoration leading up to WORLD AIDS DAY 2024

About the Village Film Night:
Film Night is a monthly event that explores the wide world of queer cinema and beyond. Our selections cover a range of genres and styles, from film history classics to the latest in young queer cinema.
Each screening is an opportunity to discover new narratives and voices, engaging with stories that challenge norms and celebrate diversity.
After each film, there’s an opportunity for informal group discussions about the movie and related topics.

After living in NYC for 20 years, Marcelo Alves moved to Berlin to study Production Design at Babelsberg and now works in the field. Viewing life as a queer 3rd-cultured POC, he’s been engaged w/ community organisations like GMHC, Friends in Deed, Berliner AIDS Hilfe, and Berlin’s Chem-Sex Network. Since the first Stretch, Ha has stayed engaged with Village.Berlin. Today he’s part of an anti-racism and inclusivity initiative and get to share his passion by running the Monthly Film Night.

General Information
Doors open at 19:30, film starts at 20:00 sharp.
Language: The event will be held in English.
Cost: The event is open to everyone and free of charge.