As a filmmaker I tend to gravitate toward subject matter that is overlooked in our society because it makes people uncomfortable. I look for topics that are deep, unconventional, controversial and eccentric. My first documentary, Pushing Up Daisies: Undertaking In America, is an intimate portrait of two disparate funeral directors. The film, which challenges audiences to consider life and death, was recently acquired for distribution by Seventh Art Releasing. Upon completion, I had a hard time imagining another topic that would be as deep, meaningful and entertaining as life, death and funeral directors. But with Silver Spurs, I have found that subject.

The initial idea behind Silver Spurs was sparked by a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article which profiled a western-themed group home for the mentally ill – Silver Spur Residential Care. A “themed” institution for the mentally ill…was this a joke? I paid Silver Spur a visit and met its Administrator, “Sheriff Joe” Arena. Decked in full western garb, Sheriff Joe gave me the whirlwind tour of his facility/museum. I observed the residents taking their medication in “The Gilded Lady Saloon” and smoking cigarettes in “Silver Spur National Park” and knew there was a film to be made. But I had no idea where it was going to lead me…

After a few weeks of shooting activities such as charades, bingo and karaoke I began to crack the surface of this seemingly fun and exciting facility. I met Kirk & Carol, two residents with severe depression who recently got engaged and plan to move out on their own (much to the dismay of the staff and doctors.) Then I met Sandy, who openly discusses the impact her illness has had on her life - losing her children and her freedom. One after another I came to intimately know many of the residents as they began to trust me. Soon the western-theme became just a backdrop to me, with the lives of the residents taking front and center.

Now, more than 2 years later, I have collected over 60 hours of footage of the residents tackling complex issues such as moving out on their own and the challenges of parenting while living in a group home.

There is a great stigma in our society against people with mental illness and with Silver Spurs I hope to combat the negative stereotypes. Many documentaries feature people with mental illness but this film has a special “hook” that will entice the potential viewer to watch. Mental illness is a difficult and sensitive topic that is often ignored by viewers and the added dimension of the western-theme will make this film more accessible to the general public. In addition, the care and treatment for people with mental illness is severely under-funded and I believe this film could spark important dialogue about the state of support for the mentally ill in our country.

For more information on the project, send me an e-mail.