Can the mundane moments and financial struggles behind a work of art be observed with such honesty? Directed by Ira Sachs, Peter Hujar’s Day, adapted almost verbatim from a 1974 audio recording, presents an intimate and tender portrait of artist Peter Hujar before his rise to fame. The film flows like a series of languid paintings shot on 16mm Kodak, while showcasing the power of a conversation between two brilliant minds, even on the simplest topics.
Ben Whishaw (Peter Hujar) and Rebecca Hall (Linda Rosenkrantz) sip coffee in a 1970s apartment, discussing Susan Sontag’s influence on the gallery scene or the rising price of cigarettes (56 cents!). The film captures the gritty reality of a New York where Hujar, despite his photos being published in magazines, struggles with unpaid fees and frequent hot water shutoffs—a “grunge realism” that meticulously avoids romanticizing the artist’s life.
One of the film’s most poignant moments is Hujar’s quiet confession: “I want my work to stand on its own… without even a single star.” These words encapsulate Hujar’s career philosophy. Sachs, through his film, reimagines the “ordinary strangeness” and “everyday queerness” of Hujar’s portraits in his own cinematic language. After watching, viewers may leave with a longing for the kind of long, intimate conversation untouched by digital distractions.
Film and Exhibition Details:
Director: Ira Sachs
Release Date: Opens November 7 at Film at Lincoln Center.
Exhibition: Concurrent with the film’s screening, a selection of Peter Hujar’s portraits will be displayed at Furman Gallery (Walter Reade Theater, Manhattan).
