after you're gone  

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the story

The story is about my uncle - Danny. The story is told by my Dad.

My uncle was a gay man - who lived up until 1951.

The story however largely focuses on the event that "outted" my uncle, his arrest and suicide.

In 1951 my uncle was arrested in Boston for being gay. His arrest was publicized in the local newspaper. The day before the hearing he committed suicide.

My Dad for the first time discloses this story and his feelings and thoughts about the event. He also speaks of his feelings and impressions of gay people both back in the 1950’s and how that opinion has changed today. My dad speaks from the heart, his regrets about his relationship with his brother, and the view he had of him then.

The film culminates with my Dad making peace, having acceptance, reaching an understanding for his brother now.

The film is told like a traditional documentary - "talking head", my dad sitting in a studio with a black back drop. The film is also told nontraditionally. I recreated scenes, with a surreal look - based on the vignettes my father told about Danny. I have weaved both of these visuals together to create the piece. 

The Process

    Who would have thought it would cost me $500 to rent a public bathroom on Revere Beach for 4 hours. I had to secure a rent-a-cop at $25 an hour. Get a permit for $50 bucks – and insure the space for $425.

    Both the insurance application and the permit application asked too many questions – although it must be known - everyone was really nice during the process and helpful, however unfortunately, pricey. 

    I thought it best that I tell the powers that be, (the permit people) that I was filming a different scene – other than 2 men hooking-up to “get busy” in a public restroom. So I told them I was filming a drug deal – and they had no problem with that. What’s the big deal about selling some crack right?  

    My mom summed up the funeral home scene – she said they want our business. And it’s true. People are at least 12 grand a pop to a funeral home. The neighborhood funeral parlor was extremely accommodating. They even left us alone in the space, left me with the keys to lock up.

    We did some funky lighting setup – the results stunning. But it wasn’t the brightest idea to tape paper over a light fixture. Just as we were out the door – packing up our cars with the equipment, we smelled something funny. We did a final walk through, we saw smoke. There was the paper still hanging on the ceiling light – now orange in color. We were on it – no fire, but a grand scare! 

    Thank heavens for other religions. I tried to secure filming in 3 Catholic Churches in the neighborhood – all a no go. Those Catholics can be very uptight. Once again I pitched a different drama – I knew the gay thing wouldn’t go over with them – the drug deal wouldn’t either. So I told them I was doing a story about my uncle who was killed in WWII – still, no! Even the church I went to as child turned me down. 

    Finally I was able to get access to a church in Arlington – I don’t know what religious sect it was, but they are very “open-minded”.

I have wanted to make this film for a long time...

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