Resident Alien (1990)
At age 73, writer and melancholy master of the bon mot, Quentin Crisp (1908-1999), became an Englishman in New York. Nossiter's camera follows Crisp about the streets of Manhattan, where Crisp seems very much at home, wearing eye shadow, appearing on a makeshift stage, making and repeating wry observations, talking to John Hurt (who played Crisp in the autobiographical TV movie, "The Naked Civil Servant"), and dining with friends. Others who know Crisp comment on him, on his life as an openly gay man with an effeminate manner, and on his place in the history of gays' social struggle. The portrait that emerges is of one wit and of suffering.
Cast
Self
The Bum
Professor
Writer
Singer
Gossip Columnist
Talk Show Host (archive footage)
Gay Activist
Publisher
Pornographer
Self
Cabaret Performer
Man on Street
Playwright
Performance Artist
Painter
Gallery Owner
Sculptor
Filmmaker
Painter
Painter
Painters' Friend
Painter
Street Performer
Performer / Actor
Self
Street Performer
Self
Dinner Hostess / Writer
Writer
Writer
Actor
Crew
Director
Writer
Producer
Co-Producer
Editor
Director of Photography
Director of Photography