Drifter (Kino Cult #6) (Blu-ray) R

Pat Rocco, a pioneering filmmaker renowned for his exploration of documentary, narrative, and experimental cinema, played a crucial role in capturing the essence of queer culture during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At a time when mainstream media largely ignored the LGBTQ+ community, Rocco fearlessly delved into the complexities of queer identity and experience.

With his third feature film, "Drifter," Rocco sought to bridge the gap between the gay underground and general audiences, aiming to offer a West Coast response to the iconic film "Midnight Cowboy." In "Drifter," audiences follow the poignant odyssey of an emotionally ambivalent bisexual hustler portrayed by Joed Adair. Through a series of relationships with both men and women, the protagonist navigates a landscape of impersonal encounters and transactions in Southern California, yearning for a sense of connection and belonging.

Rocco's films are characterized by their playful irreverence, yet they also possess a disarmingly earnest and sensitive quality. Despite their potential to resonate with broader audiences, serious gay narratives remained a cultural taboo during the era, hindering the commercial distribution of Rocco's breakthrough work. For decades, "Drifter" languished in obscurity, unseen by all but a select few.

Now, fifty years later, Kino Cult proudly presents a 2K restoration of Rocco's magnum opus, sourced from the original 16mm A/B negatives preserved by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. This restoration not only honors Rocco's artistic legacy but also sets the stage for a long-overdue reappraisal of his eclectic and historically significant body of work.

In addition to the meticulously restored feature film, this special edition release includes a wealth of bonus content, including an audio commentary by film historian Finley Freibert and four short films by Pat Rocco: "Autumn Nocturne," "A Matter of Life" featuring Joed Adair, "Strip Strip," and "Sunny Boys." Optional English subtitles provide accessibility for all viewers, ensuring that Rocco's groundbreaking contributions to cinema are celebrated and appreciated by audiences old and new.