«Swan Song» Staring Udo Kier, Jennifer Coolidge, Linda Evans and Michael Urie on HBO Max
Legendary actor Udo Kier stars as retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger, who escapes the confines of his small-town Sandusky, Ohio nursing home after learning of his former client’s dying wish for him to style her final hairdo.
Soon, Pat embarks on an odyssey to confront the ghosts of his past – and collect the beauty supplies necessary for the job. «Swan Song» is a comical and bittersweet journey about rediscovering one’s sparkle, and looking gorgeous while doing so.
Back in 1984, Todd Stephens (director) walked into his small-town gay bar for the first time — The Universal Fruit and Nut Company. There he was, glittering on the dancefloor. Wearing a teal feather boa, fedora and matching pantsuit, «Mister Pat» Pitsenbarger was busting old school moves straight out of Bob Fosse. he was seventeen, and Pat was a revelation.
Years later, when he set out to write his autobiographical «Edge Of Seventeen», he immediately thought of Mister Pat. I went back home to hunt him down, only to discover Pat had just suffered an aneurism and was temporarily unable to speak. But his lover David told him stories…about how Pat was once the most fabulous hairdresser in Sandusky, Ohio…about his legendary drag performances…about how he used to shop at Kroger’s dressed as Carol Burnett – in 1967! This was a man who always had the courage to be himself, long before that was safe.
The truth is, Mister Pat inspired Todd Stephens to write «Edge Of Seventeen». He wrote a significant «Pat» character as his protagonist’s mentor, but midway through the shoot, the part got cut. He always knew his muse would return someday in his writing, and when he finally did many years later, he looked for Pat again only to learn he just passed away. Sadly, Pat’s legendary hand-beaded rhinestone gowns are all lost to time. Only a shoebox remains – filled with some tarnished jewellery and a half-smoked pack of Mores.
«Swan Song» is a love letter to the rapidly disappearing «gay culture» of America. As it has become more acceptable to be queer, what used to be a thriving community is rapidly melting back into society. Thanks to assimilation and technology, small-town gay bars like The Universal Fruit and Nut Company are becoming extinct. «Swan Song» is dedicated to all the forgotten flaming florists and hairdressers who built the gay community and blazed the trail for the rights many of us cling to today. But, above all, for him this film is about learning that it’s never too late to live again.
«Swan Song» are now streaming on HBO Max!
