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Mala Noche

  • 19861986
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 18m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
4K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Doug Cooeyate in Mala Noche (1986)
  • Drama
A story of amour fou. Walt is madly in love/lust with a young illegal Mexican immigrant. However, the object of his unrequited affection doesn't even speak any English and finds Walt really ... Read allA story of amour fou. Walt is madly in love/lust with a young illegal Mexican immigrant. However, the object of his unrequited affection doesn't even speak any English and finds Walt really strange and undesirable.A story of amour fou. Walt is madly in love/lust with a young illegal Mexican immigrant. However, the object of his unrequited affection doesn't even speak any English and finds Walt really strange and undesirable.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
4K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gus Van Sant
  • Writers
    • Walt Curtis(story)
    • Gus Van Sant(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tim Streeter
    • Doug Cooeyate
    • Ray Monge
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gus Van Sant
  • Writers
    • Walt Curtis(story)
    • Gus Van Sant(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Tim Streeter
    • Doug Cooeyate
    • Ray Monge
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 56Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins

    Photos63

    Doug Cooeyate in Mala Noche (1986)
    Doug Cooeyate in Mala Noche (1986)
    Doug Cooeyate in Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)
    Mala Noche (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tim Streeter
    • Waltas Walt
    Doug Cooeyate
    • Johnnyas Johnny
    Ray Monge
    • Roberto Pepperas Roberto Pepper
    Nyla McCarthy
    • Bettyas Betty
    Sam Downey
    • Hotel Clerkas Hotel Clerk
    Robert Lee Pitchlynn
    • Drunk Manas Drunk Man
    • (as Bob Pitchlynn)
    Eric Pedersen
    • Policemanas Policeman
    Marty Christiansen
    • Bar Friendas Bar Friend
    George Conner
    • Winoas Wino
    • (as Bad George Connor)
    Don Chambers
    • Selfas Self
    Walt Curtis
    • Georgeas George
    Kenny Presler
    • Street Hustleras Street Hustler
    Conde Benavides
    • Arcade Amigoas Arcade Amigo
    Cristo Stoyos
    • Greek Singeras Greek Singer
    Matt Cooeyate
    • Boxcar Amigoas Boxcar Amigo
    Marsellus Allen
    Anne Buffen
    Dieter Reshhe
    • Dieteras Dieter
    • Director
      • Gus Van Sant
    • Writers
      • Walt Curtis(story)
      • Gus Van Sant(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      First film directed by Gus Van Sant.
    • Quotes

      Walt Curtis: [voice-over narration] Maybe when they're making love they can think about Roberto having fucked me. Roberto's cock fucks Johnny, fucked me. That's about as close to Johnny as I'll ever get, unless I had the money. Poor boys never win. Who fucks whom. Mala noche. Every street Mexican on sixth will think he can stick it in me, well they're wrong. But they never were too smart to begin with or they wouldn't be here.

    • Connections
      Featured in Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Gracias a la Vida
      Written by Violeta Parra

      Performed by Border Crossing

    User reviews21

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A Milestone In American "Gay" Cinema
    As the stagnant state of films in the 1980's was still in its inevitable decline the emergence of a new breed of American independent directors saw this as a moment full of opportunity. Gus Van Sant decided to turn his camera on the outcasts of a small Portland neighborhood and create an intimate portrait of 3 young men at an important turning point in their lives. Not only is Mala Noche an influential example of 1980's independent cinema it also serves as a milestone for the New Queer Cinema that would become more prevalent in the 1990's. Gus Van Sant's stark debut would serve as a blueprint for many directors to come.

    Mala Noche focuses on convenience store worker Walt's and his infatuation with a young immigrant Jonny who is fresh off riding the rails from Mexico with his friend Pepper. From the film's first scene its unabashed open "gayness" lets the viewer know what they are in for. Van Sant makes no attempt to justify his films openly gay stance instead he embraces it and explores the beauty and darkness that accompany it. Walt and Johnny coexist solely based on their parasitic relationship. Walt gushes romanticized convictions for a boy he knows little about, such as "I want to drink this Mexican boy" or "I have to show him that I'm gay for him." While Johnny uses Walt for a house to crash and the occasional joy ride in his car. At the same time both are uncomfortable with their personal situation but can't help to hold on to what they have left.

    John Campbell's bleak camera work adds a lot to the look of the seedy underbelly of Portland almost as if it could have been shot as a documentary. Mala Noche is one the few films that benefits from working on such a small budget. It gives the viewer a sense that Van Sant was truly in touch on a deeper level with his subjects than just an "actor/director" level. Ultimately Mala Noche is a profound representation of America's emerging "gay" cinema and an important document of Portland in the mid 1980's. Gus Van Sant would go onto make stronger films but this fascinating debut will show he has shown a strong passion for his films and his subjects right from the beginning.
    helpful•11
    1
    • BandofInsiders
    • Oct 29, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 19, 1987 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MK2 (France)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Bad Night
    • Filming locations
      • Portland, Oregon, USA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,386
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,833
      • Jun 3, 2007
    • Gross worldwide
      • $62,743
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 18 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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