Watching: Uncle Roy

Overview

A documentary portrait of Roy Blakey, a pioneering figure skater, collector, and photographer who became known for his influential male nude photography in New York’s art world. Through archival footage, photographs, and intimate present-day moments, filmmaker Keri Pickett reflects on her lifelong bond with the uncle who mentored and inspired her. As 93-year-old Roy faces life-threatening dementia and his memories begin to fade, she races to preserve his legacy — a figure skater, ice-show archivist, and gay photographer whose male nudes etched into history. Tracing Roy’s journey from Depression-era beginnings and international ice shows to his role documenting queer culture, the film becomes a tribute to an unconventional artist and a moving exploration of family, memory, and legacy before his final curtain call.