Credited cast: | |||
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W.H. Auden | ... | Self (archive footage) |
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Don Bachardy | ... | Self |
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Ted Bachardy | ... | Self |
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James Berg | ... | Self (as Jim Berg) |
John Boorman | ... | Self | |
Paul Bowles | ... | Self (archive footage) | |
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Katherine Bucknell | ... | Self |
Leslie Caron | ... | Self | |
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Eduardo Correia | ... | Ahmed |
E.M. Forster | ... | Self (archive footage) | |
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Chris Freeman | ... | Self |
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Charlie Gordon | ... | First Dinner Guest |
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Kenneth Grimes | ... | Paul Bowles (as Ken Grimes) |
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Sara S. Hodson | ... | Self |
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Evelyn Hooker | ... | Self (archive footage) |
Depicts the remarkable life of artist Don Bachardy and his relationship with the distinguished writer Christopher Isherwood. Includes footage shot by Chris and Don in the 1950s and interviews with Leslie Caron, John Boorman, Liza Minnelli, and others. Isherwood and Bachardy were open about their life together, regardless of the waves it caused. This was during a period when gay relationships were not acceptable. The age difference in their relationship brought obvious personal problems that had to be addressed. Don often felt disregarded by Chris's famous friends and frequently was. Nevertheless, Bachardy pursued his art career with great energy, painting and drawing every day. Finding a vocation gave Don a sense of fulfillment and independence. He began to realize that he could function independently, which made him question whether he wanted to stay with Isherwood. Don toyed with leaving the relationship and striking out on his own, however he decided not to as he realized his love ... Written by Asphalt Stars Productions
This movie can easily be seen as a meditation. It is a kind of wonderful meditation on impermanence, the transient nature of youth, beauty and health, on the inevitability of loss and finally on the Triumph of Death. An art of losing and dealing with sorrow.
It is not often in our days that someone has the time and is being allowed a slow pace when talking to you as in this film. Especially not on very subtle and intimate matters. That is praiseworthy. Not often either do you see love treated spiritually. Not often do you see someone follow a life partner to the very gate of Death and past. Making drawings of the corpse, lovingly, without disgust or even crying. That is an impressive remaining within reality.
Highly recommendable.