Filmmaker in Focus: Fred Halsted

Fred Halsted was a legend in his own time. His self-created public persona - that of the leather-clad sadist - instantly made him both feared and revered as one of the first openly gay sex symbols. And his taboo-shattering films broke new ground in the gay erotic cinema for their portrayal of sadomasochism and other forms of polymorphous perversity. These works sent a shockwave throughout the fledgling gay liberation movement and the art establishment alike, leading to their eventual acquisition by New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Despite their significant cultural importance, his films have long been available only in neutered form, if at all.

We are happy to present two of Halsted’s groundbreaking and fiercely controversial films, newly restored by MoMA in all their glory:
The Sex Garage (1972, 35 min) and Sextool (1975, 61 min).

Oh, and we may have a few exclusive giveaways just for this screening..