Michael Pressman Discusses ‘Boulevard Nights’

When “Boulevard Nights” premiered in early 1979, it was among several major studio films like “The Warriors,” “The Wanderers,” and “Over the Edge” that tackled gang violence. In response to violent incidents at theaters, Paramount exploited the controversy surrounding Walter Hill’s “The Warriors” to boost its box office success. In contrast, Warner Bros., the studio behind “Boulevard Nights,” decided to pull the film from venues where violence had erupted, essentially abandoning its distribution.

“Warner Bros. said, ‘We’re very proud of this movie, don’t get us wrong,’” Michael Pressman, the film’s director, told IndieWire, “‘but we’re not about to risk lawsuits.’” However, over time, “Boulevard Nights” found an appreciative audience through repertory screenings and home video releases. In 2017, it was added to the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

This Saturday night, Warner Bros. will present the film on the big screen at Gardena Cinema in Southern California, featuring a Q&A session with Pressman, screenwriter Desmond Nakano, and several actors. Additionally, on September 10, “Boulevard Nights” will be released on Blu-ray for the first time.

For Pressman, this is a gratifying development in the film’s challenging history. “When it came out, I was still too close to it to see what it was. It was a very painful release and a big disappointment,” he admitted. Pressman’s previous project, the comedy “The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training,” was quite different from the thoughtful and tragic “Boulevard Nights.”

“I don’t know why they thought of me,” Pressman said. “But when I read it, it spoke to me.”

Despite Pressman’s diverse career—ranging from the rousing Roger Corman action-comedy “The Great Texas Dynamite Chase” to the poignant Vietnam vet story “Some Kind of Hero”—“Boulevard Nights” holds a special place. His distinctive style, characterized by a sensitive direction of actors and detailed portrayal of environments, shines through.

Pressman recognized that he was an unlikely choice to direct a drama about East Los Angeles street gangs. “Today, a white Jewish man would never get this job,” he said. Inspired by Martin Ritt’s dedication to cultural immersion, Pressman set up production offices in East L.A. and invited the community to participate in the filmmaking process.

“No one came to see us, except for actors and non-actors who were either in gangs or had gotten out of gangs,” Pressman said. The extensive audition process helped assemble an ensemble of both professional and non-professional actors who worked well together. “There were four or five kids playing gang members in the movie who really were gang members, so we drew upon very personal stuff for them. And they were terrific.”

Alongside the talented cast, Pressman credits cinematographer John Bailey and production designer Jackson DeGovia for making “Boulevard Nights” special. Bailey, who later became renowned for “Ordinary People” and “American Gigolo,” and DeGovia, who would design classics like “Die Hard” and “Speed,” were instrumental in creating the film’s visual narrative, dividing its story into the world of the family and the world of the gangs.

Pressman and his team succeeded in integrating with the community, avoiding the pitfalls of invading it like outsiders. Instead of hiring external security, they enlisted local car clubs for protection. “We didn’t act like outsiders,” Pressman said. “I wish Warner Bros. had done the same thing when they released the movie … it could have been a real grassroots phenomenon.”

Despite its truncated initial release, the cult following that “Boulevard Nights” has garnered, along with its recognition by the Library of Congress, has mitigated Pressman’s initial disappointment. Revival screenings often include car club shows and discussions, celebrating the film’s legacy.

Among its early fans was Robin Williams, whose positive reaction to the film provided some solace to Pressman during its uncertain release. “At least Robin Williams likes the film,” he thought at the time.

“Boulevard Nights” will be released on Blu-ray on Tuesday, September 10.

Source: IndieWire