“Uncle Roy” is a poignant exploration of family, memory, and artistic legacy. Filmmaker Keri Pickett delves into the life of her 93-year-old uncle, Roy Blakey, a trailblazer in theatrical ice skating and gay male photography. Their deep bond, as the last members of their family tree, is revealed through decades of recent and archival footage.
Roy’s story spans from the Depression-era to the present, beginning with his career in 1950s and 60s ice shows, finding an authentic gay life in the world of touring performances. He became a celebrated photographer in 1970s New York, as a second career, capturing stars like Debbie Allen, Shirley MacLaine, and Divine. He pioneered contemporary male nude photography with his groundbreaking book, HE (1972). Inspired by Roy, Keri followed in his footsteps, becoming a photographer and strengthening their lifelong connection.
FROM DIRECTOR KERI PICKETT
This is a personal documentary about my uncle, our relationship, and our dreams, and there is no one better to tell this story than me. Our family is very small, and we all share a desire to preserve history. Roy’s parents, my grandparents, were polaroid-carrying genealogists and their love story inspired a nation (“Love in the ‘90s” 1995). Roy’s success inspired me to believe in my dream of becoming a photographer. Roy’s 8mm film clips helped turn me into a documentary filmmaker.
I have decades of footage, and it is hard to know where to start to tell such a story. It is all important to me. Having an outside eye on the larger themes, as well as the funny little moments, led me to partner with Dawn Mikkelson, my co-director from our film Finding Her Beat,” as producer and editor. She has helped me find the balance between personal, lived experience and finding the true essence of the story.
Dawn and I have assembled a number of trusted industry allies as well as journalistic-minded friends, leaning on them to see if the emotions resonate, as we work to ensure that “Uncle Roy” entertains as it maintains a unique and authentic intimacy. This is a story clearly connected to universal themes of caregiving, legacy, and family.
Dawn has a history of making documentary films on topics of caregiving, palliative care, and late-life care, and we plan to bring in caregiving consultants as another partnership and data point, ensuring that this project is informed by their insights into these difficult themes.