No Picnic is a film written and directed by Philip Hartman. It was filmed in black and white at New York in 1985 and was released the next year, in the Sundance Film Festival, where it won Excellence in Cinematography Award: Dramatic. Described as "a cinematic love letter to a pre-gentrified New York", the film captures the East Village of the 1980s. Providing the soundtrack are such performers as "The Raunch Hands", Lenny Kaye, Charles Mingus, Fela Kuti, Richard Hell and "Student Teachers". It stars Richard Hell, Judith Malina, Luis Guzmán and Steve Buscemi.

Plot

Failed musician Macabee "Mac" Cohen (David Brisbin) makes his living servicing jukeboxes in the neighborhood, while in the search for the woman of his dreams. The obvious gentrification around is distressing and highlights his ill-fated life. His frustration increases when faced with individuals who remind him of his former aspirations.

No Picnic

Cast

David Brisbin as Macabee "Mac" Cohen

Clare Bauman as The Fan

Ryan Cutrona as Live Pimp

Anne D'Agnillo as Anne

Luis Guzmán as Arroyo

Richard Hell as Irate Tenant

Steve Buscemi as Dead Pimp

David Murray Jaffe as Big Pig Manager

References

External links

1986 films

Films set in Manhattan

American drama films

American black-and-white films

American independent films

1986 drama films

1986 independent films

1980s English-language films

1980s American films

No Picnic