The Rough-and-Ready Brilliance of Barbara Hammer’s “Nitrate Kisses”
Newly restored in 4K, the film feels prescient as groups are once again being scapegoated for public health crises and financial instability.
Feminist director Barbara Hammer's films may be challenging to watch due to their unconventional editing and lack of linear narratives. Nevertheless, her curiosity and focus on lesbian sexuality, life, and history have secured her a spot in cinematic history. Brydie O Connor's documentary Brydie Forever (2026) highlights her work and the ongoing preservation of her extensive archive, with a new 4K restoration of her 1992 feature film Nitrate Kisses premiering at this year's New York Film Festival.
Nitrate Kisses captures the essence of its time: early in the AIDS pandemic and amid a culture war marked by stigma, violence, and attempts to restrict artistic freedom.
Written by urgent.news from Hyperallergic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
