Based on James Bidgood’s Pink Narcissus, PATPONG NARCISSUS is an erotic visual poem that blends together historical narrative and contemporary reality of Bangkok’s infamous red-light district. 

The film’s narrative follows the daydream of a beautiful boy prostitute who conceives a series of interlinked fantasies populated by ghosts from the Cold War. It invites the audience to contemplate on the multilayers construct of Southeast Asian/Thai gay men’s identity and desire, particularly the influence of the Americans’ Patpong infiltration during the 1960s-1980s. 

The world-premiere screening will be followed by a Q&A with artist and creator Oat Montien. Audience members are welcome to stay until 10:00 PM and socialize with drinks by donation at the bar.

This program may not be suitable for all ages.

About the Programmer

Growing up in a brothel of Bangkok, Oat Montien (he/they) is a queer erotic artist whose work revolves around queer desire and identity politics. Since his recent artist residencies with Patpong Museum (Spring 2022) and Tom of Finland Foundation (Summer/Winter 2022), his focus has gone deeper into American influence in Southeast Asian/Thai gay identity.

This program is organized by Oat Montien as part of the 2023 Circa: Queer Histories Festival, presented by One Institute.

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  Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF) is dedicated to protect, preserve, document and educate the public about erotic art and erotic artists. ToFF shall continue to encourage the work of erotic visual artists regardless of race, creed, religion, gender, sexual identity, medium of expression or any other censoring criteria.One of the primary goals of the Foundation is to promote Tom’s work along with other erotic art so that it receives the academic attention it deserves.