The Unabridged Mrs. Vera's Daybook

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0:53

2022

1h 21m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

4 Reviews

100%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

THE UNABRIDGED MRS. VERA’S DAYBOOK tells a story of historic activism and community art through the works of two San Francisco artists, who also happen to be long-term AIDS survivors. During one of the darkest periods in US History, two men decide to bring joy and color to a broken community for which an entire movement has emerged. 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.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

Jul 31, 2023

4/5

The entwined subjects are so lovable it’s hard not to warm to the film, even if the direction (by Robert James) is very linear and conventional.

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Jonita Davis

The Black Cape (Medium)

Aug 21, 2023

Robert James' documentary 'The Unabridged Mrs. Vera’s Daybook' captures an important and living icon and art movement spawned from the dark and deadly days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Aug 7, 2023

Arguably stretching its material a bit thin to feature length, Robert James’ documentary still provides a classic glimpse of San Francisco gay culture.

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Chris Salce

Film Threat

Aug 2, 2023

7.5/10

It is about learning how to express your uniqueness and realizing that many others are out there looking to do the same freely and without judgment.

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Alex B

@RT12347704 Nov 17, 2023

If you've never been exposed to Mrs Vera the opening images can really throw you. You've never seen makeup or fashion like this, even if you're a Hollywood makeup artist or set designer. I have to admit the first image of Mrs. V pushed me back, but I stuck with it, as this is the third film of Robert James I've viewed. Mrs. V's story is told in a linear arc: childhood backstories transitioning to the emerging AIDS crisis in the 1980s, when a popular President and much of the country ignored the afflicted until someone in their community, actor Rock Hudson, passed from the virus. Michael and David's story reminded me in a very poignant way of neighbors who lived through similar circumstances. The AIDS quilt has been covered elsewhere. However seeing the man who inspired it in this film reminds me of how connected the LGBTQ community is. Peaches Christ reminds me of Patton Oswalt in drag and his description of Mrs V's influence on Pride Day fashion, "Drag Anarchy" is spot on. Mrs Vera, recycling fashion maven celebrating life and not letting anything hold you back…including yourself!

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Robert James

Director

Robert James

Writer

Nick Blond

Writer

Robert James

Producer

Nick Blond

Producer

Howard Grothe

Executive Producer

The Unabridged Mrs. Vera's Daybook: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Director: Robert James
Producer: Robert James, Nick Blond
Screenwriter: Robert James, Nick Blond
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Production Co: NuReality Productions
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2023
Runtime: 1h 21m

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The Unabridged Mrs. Vera's Daybook

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