A Legacy of Laughter and Light: Andrea Gibson's Final Work
The celebrated poet and performance artist, Andrea Gibson, never anticipated that a documentary detailing their life with a terminal cancer diagnosis would be a source of laughter. In a poignant revelation, Gibson, who passed away in July at the age of 49, admitted they never expected to see the completed film at all. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years prior, their existence had become a day-by-day reality, making the project's completion a race against time.
An Intimate Collaboration Captured on Film
By a remarkable turn of events, Gibson lived to see 'Come See Me in the Good Light', a living document of their final year with their wife, Megan Falley. The film, now available on Apple TV, captures everything from quiet coffee chats to arduous chemotherapy appointments. Its tone was set unexpectedly early, during a dinner table conversation about a specific sex act that occurred mere hours after the documentary crew first began filming. Gibson recalled the crew's surprise, noting their assumption that they were creating a 'death documentary about serious poets.'
Filmmaker Ryan White was astounded by the immediate intimacy, stating his jaw was open during that first dinner. He highlighted the unique magic Gibson and Falley brought to everyday life, creating scenes filled with 'belly laughter and tears in the same 20 minutes.' For the next year, the crew visited the couple every three weeks, filming for three days straight, never knowing if each visit would be their last. Shooting continued until just two weeks before the film's premiere.
From a Tig Notaro Idea to a Sundance Premiere
The documentary's origins lie partly with comedian Tig Notaro, a long-time friend of Gibson who considered them one of the funniest people she knew. Notaro connected filmmaker Ryan White with Gibson, and while a film about a stage 4 cancer patient and slam poet was not what White initially envisioned, his hesitations vanished upon seeing Gibson's star quality on stage, a presence that had earned them comparisons to the 'James Dean' of spoken word poetry.
For Gibson and Falley, who had been navigating the cancer rollercoaster largely alone for two years, the opportunity was a gift. Falley explained that the camera's presence helped them transform their experience into something beautiful that could potentially help others. Gibson affirmed this, emphasising the project was not about legacy but about creating art that might offer solace. Against the odds, Gibson made it to the Sundance Film Festival in January for the world premiere, despite a terribly difficult week beforehand and the risks associated with tumours in their lungs and liver.
A Lasting Legacy of Love and Hope
Sundance marked the last time Gibson travelled out of state. They died a month before their 50th birthday. Director Ryan White made the conscious decision not to update the film to note Gibson's passing, feeling strongly that 'it's not a film about dying.' He believed the film was perfect as it ended and is at peace with the decision, a sentiment shared by Megan Falley.
Falley, now a 37-year-old widow, has been touring with the film, sharing her love story with audiences worldwide. White finds a beautiful perfection in how events unfolded, noting, 'Andrea got to see this film, and they know that Megan will carry this mantle now.' Through tears, Falley continues to honour the love of her life, ensuring that Andrea Gibson's powerful, humorous, and deeply human legacy lives on.
