By Sasha Brandt
In the annals of American photography, gay New York photographer Peter Hujar (you will remember the photograph of Candy Darling on her deathbed), who died of AIDS in 1987, stands as a figure of profound complexity—a man whose lens captured the raw, unvarnished essence of New York’s 1970s art scene. Ira Sachs’s latest film, Peter Hujar’s Day, offers an intimate portrayal of this enigmatic artist, brought to life through a masterful performance by Ben Whishaw and directed by Ira Sachs.
Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the film drifts through a single day in Peter Hujar’s (Ben Whishaw) life, providing a window into the mundane yet profound moments that defined him. The narrative is rooted in a 1974 conversation between Hujar and his friend, writer Linda Rosenkrantz, portrayed with subtle depth by Rebecca Hall. Rosenkrantz had embarked on a project, asking artists to recount their previous day’s activities in meticulous detail. This conversation, initially intended for an unrealized book, becomes the backbone of Ira Sachs’s film (Passages, 2023), offering a verbatim transcript that serves as both script and structure.
Whishaw’s portrayal of Hujar is nothing short of mesmerising. He embodies the photographer with a quiet intensity, capturing the nuances of a man who was both self-assured and riddled with doubt. His performance is marked by a delicate balance of humour, melancholy, and desire, reflecting the multifaceted nature of Hujar himself. The actor’s commitment to the role is evident, having memorised 55 pages of dialogue to authentically convey the unscripted nature of the original conversation.
Rebecca Hall’s role as Rosenkrantz, though less verbose, is equally compelling. Her portrayal provides a steady, empathetic presence, allowing Whishaw’s Hujar to navigate his recollections with authenticity. The chemistry between the two actors creates a dynamic that feels both lived-in and immediate, drawing the audience into the intimate confines of their exchange.
Sachs’s directorial approach is minimalist, yet profoundly effective. The film is shot on 16mm, lending a grainy, nostalgic texture that evokes the era it depicts. The choice of medium complements the film’s introspective tone, creating a visual aesthetic that feels both timeless and immediate. The cinematography captures the subtle interplay of light and shadow, mirroring the complexities of Hujar’s own photographic work.
Peter Hujar’s Day is not a conventional biopic. It eschews dramatic plot developments in favor of a contemplative exploration of an artist’s inner world. The film delves into Hujar’s interactions with notable figures of the time, including a particularly revealing anecdote about a photo session with poet Allen Ginsberg. These moments offer insights into Hujar’s perceptions of the art world and his place within it, shedding light on his insecurities and aspirations.
The film’s pacing is deliberate, mirroring the unhurried nature of the original conversation. This tempo allows the audience to immerse themselves in the subtleties of Hujar’s reflections, appreciating the depth and complexity of his character. Sachs’s direction ensures that each moment is imbued with significance, turning the mundane into the profound.
A film that demands patience and introspection from its audience. It is a meditation on art, identity, and the passage of time, offering a glimpse into the life of a man whose work continues to resonate. Through Whishaw’s nuanced performance and Sachs’s thoughtful direction, the film captures the essence of an artist who found beauty in the ordinary and transformed it into something extraordinary.
In an era where biographical films often rely on grandiosity, Sachs’s vision stands out for its restraint and authenticity. It is a fitting tribute to a photographer who saw the world with unflinching honesty, and whose legacy serves as a reminder of the power of art to capture the human experience in all its complexity.
As the credits roll, one is left with a lingering sense of having spent a day in the company of Peter Hujar himself—a day filled with introspection, revelation, and the quiet beauty of life’s fleeting moments. It is a testament to the film’s success that it leaves the audience not with a sense of finality, but with a desire to delve deeper into the life and work of this remarkable artist.
Peter Hujar’s Day was reviewed out of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and will be screened at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2025. The date for streaming and cinema distribution was not announced.
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