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Director's "Cancer Poetry" Film Wins Despite Market Woes
7 Dec
Summary
- Documentary market faces significant challenges, making bold acquisitions rare.
- A film about poetry, cancer, and a queer non-binary couple found success.
- The director praised his editor and the film's subjects for their honesty.
Ryan White, known for diverse documentary work, accepted the Magnify Award at IndieWire Honors, reflecting on the challenging landscape for independent documentaries. He specifically thanked Apple TV executives for acquiring "Come See Me in the Good Light," a film with unconventional themes of poetry, cancer, and a queer non-binary relationship, noting that such projects are crucial yet often overlooked by the current market.
The film documents the love story of poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley, focusing on Gibson's declining health with unexpected humor and joy. White admitted initial hesitation when comedian Tig Notaro presented the concept, but found the project to be surprisingly funny and rewarding, praising his producing partner Jessica Hargrave and editor Berenice Chavez for their integral roles.
White commended the film's subjects, Gibson and Falley, for bravely sharing their end-of-life journey with authenticity and resilience. He expressed gratitude for their openness, particularly to the late Gibson, celebrating their ability to find humor and joy amidst profound life challenges. The director underscored the value of independent documentaries that move beyond algorithmic appeal.
