By Solly Olivares
The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook, a NuReality Productions is directed by Robert James (Library of Dust, The Night Minister, Ruminations, and Verasphere: A Love Story in Cost A-to-Z and written and produced by Robert James and Nick Blond (Ruminations, Verasphere: A Love Story in Costume and King of the Road), edited by Nick Blond, with cinematographer Rudy Behrens (Ruminations, and Verasphere: A Love Story in Costume), with music composed by Steven Clark (Practical Uses for a Time Machine, and American Exile), and Andy Cowitt (songwriter/multi-instrumentalist with East Bay pop combo, Special Ghosts), with illustrations by Michael Wertz (his work has been recognized by Communication Arts and American Illustration, and his book Golden Gate Park: An A to Z Adventure).
The Hollywood Times had the opportunity to speak with filmmaker Robert James and the film’s subjects Michael Johnstone and David Faulk about their new documentary film. Click below to view it on The Hollywood Times Official YouTube channel.
The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook tells the brilliant story of historic activism, love, and community art through the works of two prolific San Francisco artists, David Faulk, and Michael Johnstone, who also happen to be long-term AIDS survivors.
During one of the darkest periods in US History, two men decide to bring all the joy and colour to a broken community for which an entire movement has emerged. Taking to the streets bedecked in glitter, baubles, and recycled plastic, the two form a cadre of colourful kindred spirits they call Verasphere, supporters, fellow activists and members of the Queer Art Community join the film to help paint this vivid portrait of perseverance, compassion, and outrageous dime-store fashion. Having received the coveted Community Grand Marshall appointment for the SF PRIDE Parade in 2019, our film subjects confront a new pandemic and celebrate 25 years of making sensational art together.
The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook showed in September at Out on Film – Atlanta’s LGBTQ Festival, Cinema Diverse in Palm Springs, and Reeling Film Fest in Chicago, along with October dates in Oslo, Norway at Oslo/Fusion and the Portland Film Festival in Portland, OR, where it won Best LGBTQI+ Film!
Verasphere: A Love Story in Costume, is an exquisite 20-minute short film exploring themes of Love, Survival, Art, and Community was the genesis for the feature length film The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook. Robert James as a filmmaker is drawn toward provocative and edgy subject matter. All of his films involve artistic creation while exploring themes of mental illness, sex & religion, gender identity and long-term AIDS survival.
The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook was released for a TVOD/Digital all platforms release through Gravitas Ventures on August 1st.
