Cruising (1980)

The 27 years that passed since its original release in 1980 have done nothing to diminish Cruising’s power to raise controversy. Following the trail of a mysterious murder, a cop (played by Al Pacino in what could be the most challenging role in his career) descends into the New York underground gay scene, only to encounter a dissident subculture that will put his limits to the test. Friedkin’s unflinching depiction of orgies and extreme S & M sex raised accusations of homophobia; however Cruising is now considered a powerful psychological thriller, as well as a frank testimony of the pre-AIDS New York gay culture ? a world in which only the toughest survive and redemption doesn’t come cheap.

Director: William Friedkin
Screenwriter: William Friedkin
Cinematography: James Contner
Editing: Budd Smith, M. Scott Smith
Music: Jack Nitzsche
Cast: Al Pacino, Paul Sorvino, Karen Allen, Richard Cox

USA / West Germany, Color
English, 102΄
Format: Digital Cinema Package