Usually when we come across documentaries that cover an aspect of gay history they are about the evolution of our community. Or possibly a profile of a iconic queer who has furthered the cause for equal rights, or was an out-performer who made their mark entertaining us
ASK ANY BUDDY is about none of this. Its a look back at a history of gay sex, or more accurately, gay porn. Archivist Evan Purchell has combed his massive private collection of hundreds of films churned out by the gay adult film industry throughout the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s to make this fascinating compilation/mish-mash..
It may be about sex but the film is also very much about how during this period, porn contributed to changing the face of gay culture and empowered so many of us to help come to terms with our own sexuality.
Purchell includes clips from some 125 movies and in a lot of them there is a consistency in the men featured. It was all part of the need felt back then to pass as ‘straight’ . So the men in porn were extremely macho and all conformed to what was considered our ideal, or at least dream man.
The film reminds us that going to the sleazy movie theatres (mainly in NY and LA) was not just the place men went to see the ‘adult films’, but they were also one of the too rare cruising places. In fact some of the movies were shot there too, alongside a notable spots in the city like the Meatpacking District when it was still a seedy part of town.
New Yorkers (of a certain age) in particular will also recognise other legendary cruising spots long gone , but were also the locations for several of these films. Sort of art copying life.
In this 80 minutes of mainly writhing naked bodies you can spot many of the iconic porn stars of that generation such as Peter Berlin, Casey Donavan, Al Parker and Jack Wrangler. It includes films from William Higgins, Wakefield Poole, Joe Gage, Peter De Rome, Bob Mizer, Matt Sterling and Jack Deveau.
Purchell takes his role as the saviour of these films seriously especially as many of them are now impossible to find. Yet he also imbues his editing of the doc with a fine sense of humor which reflects an era when our community focused more on having fun. It’s a rather joyous and sexy look back in time
P.S. Ask Any Buddy does include a clip from the first ever movie to feature fisting, and other sexual activities that may make you spill your drink. Please put it down before viewing
P.S. Ask Any Body is being screened as part of WICKED QUEER VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL https://www.wickedqueer.org/events/ask-any-buddy
