As the story goes, the production and release of William Friedkin’s Cruising in 1980 was met with outrage and protests from members of the queer community, who feared that it would lead to an increase in homophobic violence and legislation. Though the film has since been (rightfully!) reclaimed as a classic by younger audiences, there remains much more to say beyond the Cliff’s Notes version. 

For his latest deep dive into our shared queer history, Frameline Award-winning documentarian Jeffrey Schwarz (I Am Divine, Frameline37; Vito, Frameline36) explores not only the controversy surrounding Cruising and its legacy, but the shocking murder that inspired Friedkin to make it. Neither a salacious true crime documentary nor a breezy nostalgic trip through the past, Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders instead offers a compelling, nuanced take on a complicated subject. To get the full picture, stick around and watch Friedkin’s Cruising directly after the San Francisco premiere of Mineshaft.