This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Haunt Love) was limited to 2,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
David (David Schachter), a naive graduate student, has volunteered to work as a 'buddy' for people dying of AIDS. Assigned to the intensely political Robert (Geoff Edholm), a lifelong activist whose friends and family have abandoned him following his diagnosis, the two men, each with notably different world views, soon discover common bonds, as David's inner activist awakens and Robert's need for emotional release is fulfilled.
The first narrative feature film made about AIDS, acclaimed independent filmmaker Arthur Bressan Jr's (PASSING STRANGERS, ABUSE) BUDDIES is an intensely personal study of love, death, and the need for activism during the earliest years of the AIDS crisis. Structured like a filmed play, BUDDIES would be Bressan's final film, as he too would fall victim to AIDS barely two years after its completion. Nearly impossible to see following its brief theatrical release and never officially released on home video, BUDDIES makes its home video debut, newly restored from its long lost 16mm negative, from Vinegar Syndrome.
directed by: Arthur J. Bressan Jr.
starring: Geoff Edholm, David Schachter, Damon Hairston, Joyce Korn
1985 / 79 minutes / Color / 1.33:1 OAR
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.7112675 / 5 from 142 reviews.
Buddies is a limited edition slipcover for a significant film about the AIDS crisis, featuring a captivating story and excellent restoration. Customers praise its emotional impact, visual quality, and historical importance.
Review topics: [quality, design, looks, work, packaging, piece, buy, film, movie, release, drama, friends, slipcover, slip, cinema, transfer, story, watch, community, restoration, art, artwork, interviews, history, gem, performances, subject matter, title, impact, empathy].
"Not every catalog title receives this kind of treatment, which makes releases like this especially appreciated. The film looks magnificent, sounds great, and has been packaged with the kind of attention and fan service that collectors like myself notice immediately."
"Great classic VS release. Emotional and wonderfully performed."
"An essential release for queer film fans and any real fans of American movies of the 1970s. Incredible this came out in 1979 and as it says in the press, the first film dealing with the aids crisis. Presumably the only film in the decade to have dealt with it in such a beautiful way. Top quality release with a couple of interviews and nice sleeve and slipcover artwork,"
"One of, if not the greatest film VS has ever released. The bonus features are definitely a little disappointing, I would have like something further contextualizing this within Arthur j. Bressan's filmography."
"Words can't express how special this film is. . . rarely is a film that's so inarguably important, also this fucking good. One of our best filmmakers who should be taught in films schools. Forever in the running of the best things VS ever released in the early days."
"Earnestly emotional without being schmaltzy. Can’t believe I had never heard of this beautiful queer movie before seeing it on VinSyn’s site. An important piece of (film) history for sure."
"Vinegar Syndrome has done a wonderful job of helping to resurrect Arthur J. Bressan's cinematic swan song "Buddies". Forget about "Philadelphia", this is the most honest film about AIDS! Thanks a lot, Vinegar Syndrome!"
"I've never cried so much from a movie"
"Managed to get the slipcover and it has beautiful art, excited to watch this important film in the history of queer cinema."
"One of the first films to tackle the AIDS crisis with humanity and intimacy. Buddies is stripped-down, deeply emotional, and quietly revolutionary. A powerful reminder of love, loss, and the importance of representation. Essential viewing."
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