The article discusses the revival of cult films in the current streaming landscape, focusing on 'The Meatrack,' possibly the first feature-length gay film made in San Francisco. Scheduled for screening at Frameline, this 1970 film showcases a bisexual hustler whose life spirals as his profession affects a heterosexual relationship. Restored by Vinegar Syndrome, the film was pieced together from discarded footage, highlighting the fragility of such niche films. Festival programmer Elizabeth Purchell emphasizes the importance of preserving these cinematic relics before they vanish entirely.
"It shows how precarious these kinds of films are, that they're just seen as trash, or they're thrown out - literally," Purchell said.
The version being screened at Frameline was restored by an organization called Vinegar Syndrome, which specializes in bringing cult films back to life.
The 1970 film is like a softcore San Francisco version of 'Midnight Cowboy,' in which a bisexual hustler from a small town arrives in San Francisco.
Brooklyn-based festival programmer Elizabeth Purchell, who runs the company Muscle Distribution, has stewarded its path from obscurity to the big screen.
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