2001 | United States | Documentary

The Books of James

  • English - 17 mins
  • Director | Ho Tam
  • Writer | Ho Tam
  • Producer | Ho Tam

STATUS: Released

This film is currently not available.   

Through a stack of personal journals, this video reconstructs a biography of the South Dakota-born, New York City-enlightened artist James Wentzy. Tracing his days starting out as a struggling artist and later involved as an AIDS activist, the video provides an intimate portrait of a neglected hero. Wentzy reads from journals and shares old family snapshots and notebook sketches. “I hope I don’t die of sainthood,” Wentzy jokes in an entry from 1990—the pivotal time when he was becoming involved with ACT-UP and beginning to live healthier after the revelation of his HIV-positive status.

Art AIDS Activism Experimental Documentary Biography Personal Story Queer Cinema Social Justice Archival
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