The Tawdry, Opulent World of James Bidgood’s Underground Classic Pink Narcissus
A labor of love made for cheap in its director’s Manhattan apartment, this audacious queer fantasia endures not only because of its frank sexuality but also its gentle, honest heart.
Linda Darnell’s Tough and Timeless Women
Despite being one of the most mesmerizing performers of 1940s Hollywood, Darnell struggled throughout her career to be seen as more than a great beauty.
The Melancholic, Joyous Soul of Guru Dutt
The Indian director, actor, and producer’s early death has enshrined him as a tragic icon in public memory. But there is more to his art than misery.
Bengali First: The Fierce Commitments of Soumitra Chatterjee
The esteemed actor, who died in November, was far more than the face of Satyajit Ray’s cinema. Always, though, he maintained an unwavering devotion to his roots in Bengal.
The Money Pit: Uttam Kumar in The Hero
In the first of his two collaborations with Satyajit Ray, the Bengali superstar did not just rely on his image, he enriched it with a unique blend of charisma and craft.