James Franco Gets Inspired by 'Cruising'
By: Heath Daniels
8.23.2012
More than three decades have passed since gay activists in New York, fearing the perpetuation of negative stereotypes, united to protest the filming of William Friedkin's Cruising.
The graphic psychological thriller, which starred Al Pacino as a cop investigating a series of murders in Manhattan and finds himself lured into the underground S/M subculture, remains a cultural touchstone.
Some gay men feel it does not accurately portray a segment of the LGBT population, while others view it as a glimpse into a scene that has somewhat vanished or been mainstreamed. For example, the city's Meatpacking District is now a fashion destination.
Now James Franco and director Travis Mathews, whose no-holds-barred erotic drama I Want Your Love is currently a hit on the film festival circuit, have teamed to create an art project about the 40 minutes of footage that was excised from Friedkin's version and has since disappeared.
Mathews spoke with The Advocate about how the two men found inspiration in Cruising, the possibility of protests, and why Franco is so fascinated with gay men.
