Content Description
The Rose Marie Bressan papers document aspects of the personal and family life of the filmmaker Arthur Jr. Bressan and his sister, Rose-Marie Bressan, dating from 1943 to 2019. It contains photographs of their family life, from an early age (including Rose Marie and Artie as infants and college graduation) to adulthood, publicity material, and brochures of festival participations of Arthur’s films, after his death in 1987, correspondence between Arthur Jr., Bressan, Rose-Marie Bressan and Vitto Russo, obituary files, personal documents of Arthur Jr. Bressan, such as his passports, cards, his wallet; the documentary "Thank you, Mr. President" (VHS) by Arthur Bressan; two more audiovisual tapes with Rose-Marie Bressan at Astoria Park, family photographs and kids related to Northampton History project (1968). The collection also includes "The Quilt" (book) that features Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.'s first memorial quilt (1987), Rose Marie's album of her visit to the first showing of the quilt in Washington, DC., and photographs of the quilt Rose Marie made later in a 1988 display of the quilt.
Dates
- 1943 - 2019
Biographical / Historical
Rose Marie “Roe” Bressan is the younger sister of filmmaker Arthur J. Bressan Jr. Since Arthur’s death in 1987, Rose-Marie has been a vital steward of his legacy as a pivotal voice in queer independent cinema. She is the co-founder of The Bressan Project, alongside LGBTQ+ film historian and archivist Jenni Olson, established in 2018. The goal of this initiative was to bring Arthur’s pioneering work back to screens and platforms, reaching new generations and reaffirming its historical and cultural significance. By partnering with institutions such as the Frameline, UCLA Film & Television Archive, Outfest, and Vinegar Syndrome, Rose-Marie and Jenni have facilitated the 2K restoration and re-release of Arthur’s films, including Gay USA (1977), Buddies (1985), and Passing Strangers (1974), Forbidden Letters (1979), Daddy Dearest, and Juice (both 1984). Through her advocacy and collaborations, Rose Marie has played a critical role in keeping her brother Arthur’s groundbreaking work visible to new generations.
Extent
1.3 cubic feet. (1.3)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Material collected by Rose Marie (Roe) Bressan related to her brother, Arthur J. Bressan, Jr.
General
Collecting program: Human Sexuality Collection.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- ATS staff
- Date
- June 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Repository
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853
607-255-3530
607-255-9524 (Fax)
rareref@cornell.edu