Pink Narcissus

[luridedith]

I know this a weird question but is the spine of the DVD bright pink?

[Cash Flagg]

I know this a weird question but is the spine of the DVD bright pink?

A reddish pink.

[MichaelB]

Beaver.

[MichaelB]

Blu-ray upgrade announced:

15 June: PINK NARCISSUS on Blu-ray

A milestone of experimental cinema and a landmark of queer representation, James Bidgood’s visionary film has gone on to influence artists such as John Waters, Pierre et Gilles and Charli XCX. This new restoration by the UCLA Film & Television Archive will receive its UK premiere at the 40th BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in March 2026.

[Peacock]

I wonder how the extras will compare to the Strand Blu? Anyway great news either way, definitely one of my most desired titles!

Hopefully someone restores Un Chant d’Amour next!

[criterionsnob]

BFI extras listed here, and seem to match the Strand, but with "Other extras tbc".

[MichaelB]

Full specs announced:

PINK NARCISSUS
A film by James Bidgood

Released on BFI Blu-ray on 15 June 2026

With its highly charged hallucinogenic quality and its mesmerising atmosphere of lush decadence, Pink Narcissus is a landmark of gay and experimental cinema. It has now been newly restored in 4K by the UCLA Film & Television Archive from a 35mm internegative, 35mm print and 35mm track negative and comes to BFI Blu-ray on 15 June, following its premiere at BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in March and its release in selected cinemas on 12 June to mark Pride Month. Special features include a filmed introduction to the BFI Flare screening by UCLA’s Motion Picture Curator, Todd Wiener.

The work of artist and photographer James Bidgood, Pink Narcissus is a breathtaking and outrageous erotic visual poem focusing on the daydreams of a beautiful male sex worker who, from the seclusion of his ultra-kitsch apartment, conceives a series of interlinked narcissistic fantasies populated by matadors, dancing boys, slaves and leatherclad bikers.

Special features
• Newly restored in 4K by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and presented in High Definition
• Interview with James Bidgood (2007, 33 mins): Brian Robinson interviews the writer/director at The National Arts Club, New York
• Q&A with John Waters and Kelly McKaig (2025, 8 mins): filmed after a screening of the new restoration, courtesy of Strand Releasing
• Pink Narcissus with Jonathan D Katz (2011, 38 mins): Q&A hosted by the curator and art historian, with an introduction from Ira Sachs
• Introduction by Todd Wiener (2026, 24 mins): UCLA’s Motion Picture Curator, Todd Wiener, introduces the restoration of Pink Narcissus at BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival
• Restoration trailer
• Image gallery featuring photography by James Bidgood, courtesy of CLAMP Gallery, New York
• **FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet featuring a new essay by Alex Davidson, an archival essay by Rupert Smith, 2010 interview with James Bidgood by Michael Kowalinkski, notes on the special features and film credits

Product details
RRP: £19.99/ Cat. no. BFIB1568 / Cert 18
USA / 1971 / colour / 69 mins / English language with optional descriptive subtitles / original aspect ratio 1.37:1 // BD50: 1080p, 23.98fps, LPCM 2.0 mono audio (48kHz/24-bit)

[Marwood]

NO!

Have they really not been able to acquire the documentary from 2025 about the film? "Velvet Vision: The Story of James Bidgood and the Making of Pink Narcissus"

I can't think of any other way that film would be released to the public. It has lots of interviews with Bidgood, and goes into detail about all aspects of the production. Really sad it won't be part of the release. Se trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dba9ycqMGbk

[The Curious Sofa]

That would have been nice, but the documentary is probably too new, it's still making the festival rounds.

[MichaelB]

Ben Stoddart made it clear that this wasn’t a viable option when someone asked him directly.

[Peacock]

Please can someone release that doco as its own release then? Altered Innocence? A VS partner label? Are you listening?

Anyway, thank you BFI for putting this out, really a beautiful and amazing film. But the story behind it is equally amazing.

Now what’s the hold up with Un Chant d’Amour? Or Campfire? No new scans?