Set in New York City, this breezy dramatic comedy about connection, education, faith, forgiveness and found family concerns Veronica Hathaway, a transgender woman who loses her teaching career in the Catholic school system. She ultimately has a profound impact on the lives of two children, one with two fathers at odds and the other a recent transplant from a conversative Alabama household. When the children form a unique, progressive bond, new questions arise and old prejudices erupt.
Beck’s teacher taught at Alter for more than 20 years.
“He was an inspiring teacher,” Beck said. “(He) instilled a love within me of the works of Toni Morrison, J.D. Salinger and Ralph Waldo Emerson. This discriminatory act committed by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati shook me. As Jennifer and I read the headlines splattered all over the internet, we looked at each other: If this isn’t life imitating art, what is?”
Credit: CAROLINE STUCKY
Credit: CAROLINE STUCKY
Themes of identity and acceptance also fueled Beck’s debut short film, “For Francis,” which was screened at The Neon in 2014. He acknowledges the struggles he faced in his journey of self-awareness added with key moments in Bobbi’s upbringing set the groundwork as “Regarding Us” took shape, notably incorporating familiar hymns such as “How Great Thou Art,” “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” and “It Is Well With My Soul.”
“My whole life I’ve struggled with having faith in something, especially the baggage of being Catholic and being a gay man,” said Beck, 41. “I loved the rituals of (the church). I grew up playing the piano at church and I love how music and art can be healing at a spiritual level. But I’ve always had the battle within me. And Jennifer and I put pieces together of our childhood to create the film. Our story is drawn from truth. In particular, the conflicts between parent and child are taken directly from both my and Jennifer’s childhoods. As an adult, when Jennifer found the courage to come out as transgender, she lost everything, including her career and her family, just as Veronica does in our film. And just like Veronica, Jennifer rose from the ashes and regained her faith.”
Beck, a Shakespeare devotee, grew up performing children’s theatre at Rosewood Arts Centre in Kettering and Town Hall in Centerville. He also performed at Dayton Playhouse and most notably in the Human Race Theatre Company’s production of “Rabbit Hole.” He’s also played off-Broadway, regional theaters, national tours, and television, including the Emmy-nominated series “Fleishman is in Trouble.” Through his company, The Great Griffon, he has produced the aforementioned “For Francis” along with “Backup Plan” and the Streamy-nominated web series “Spring Street.”
Beautifully led by Alexandra Grey (“Empire”) as Veronica, “Regarding Us,” filmed over the course of 19 days in the summer of 2023, features Beck as Denny, Bobbi as Ruthi, Abigail Hawk (“Blue Bloods”) as Constance Lauman, Catherine Curtin (“Orange Is The New Black”) as Betsy Holland and precocious newcomer Andrea Rosa Guzman in her acting debut as Isabel Ramirez.
Beck says the film’s title serves to remind audiences of the broader importance of community.
“I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school for 13 years and do not consider myself really religious anymore, but if I do have a spiritual belief that I know is true is that all of us are in this together,” Beck said. “What affects one of us affects all of us. And I firmly believe that with my whole heart. Just look at the fires in California. We are a global community and we have to get our act together and realize it. We also have to stop creating nonsensical battles that belittle the most vulnerable people among us.”
“Regarding Us” recently received North American distribution and is now available for pre-order on Apple TV and Amazon Prime with a streaming date of Jan. 28 on multiple platforms. It had its world premiere last summer at the historic Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, and had a sold-out limited theatrical run in New York City in December. It also won the 2024 Audience Choice Award in Cincinnati at OutReels.
“With its powerful message, stellar performances, and masterful storytelling, this cinematic triumph is destined to resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying its place as a must-see indie gem,” praised The Hollywood Times.
Credit: CAROLINE STUCKY
Credit: CAROLINE STUCKY
Beck is aware his film will speak powerfully to the LGBTQ+ community but he also realizes its underlying message of love, prominently pinpointed through a New Testament sermon focused on John Chapter 13, is unlimited for all audiences.
“I hope people come away with a better understanding that trans people and gay people are people,” he said. “We have the same wants and the same needs. We get fired from our jobs. This is also an intergenerational film with a lot of humor and heart. And if we can change one heart, I think we’ve done our job.”
For more information, visit Regarding Us - Apple TV.
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