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.

Cast

Roy Blakey

Self

Keri Pickett

Self

B.J. French

Marian Spence

Kim Mahling

Josie Walker Blakey

Douglas Nielsen

Charles W. Leslie

Reed Massengill

Frank Davis