This Friday the 11th at 8pm at Second Act, there will be an exclusive preview screening of #BeRobin: The Movie, a documentary about comedian Margaret Cho's homeless outreach campaign in response to Robin Williams' death.
Back in November 2014, Cho announced on Twitter that she would be launching a project called #BeRobin at the intersection of Haight and Ashbury. The mechanics of it were pretty simple: she'd arrive, do a street performance (including songs and comedy for about an hour), take selfies, and sign autographs. The people who came to watch would dump bags of clothes and food and money at her feet, to which homeless people could help themselves.
The film captures her entire whirlwind tour from beginning to end—including the crowds, the interviews with the press, and the guest stars. Its director is Kurt Weitzmann, a longtime Haight resident, tour guide, and comic. He's known Cho since they both got their start in comedy at the Holy City Zoo, and he was excited to follow her through her journey helping the homeless.
"I've lived near the Haight since 1986 (with a few stints in other neighborhoods and four years in LA—I called it "doing time in LA"). My living in the Haight, or in SF in general, has, I think, given me quite a unique view of the nation's homeless situation. One that comes from compassion and understanding."
Weitzmann explains on the indiegogo page for the film that documenting the journey was part of the healing process for both himself and Cho.
"Robin Williams' death hit San Francisco especially hard; I remember thinking that San Francisco had changed forever. For me, it was like a part of the city, and a huge part of San Francisco comedy, died with him. I remember thinking that San Francisco would never be the same. So when Margaret Cho came to town and started her #BeRobin homeless outreach campaign, I knew I had to document it as part of our healing process."
The screening on Friday will also function as a fundraiser for the remaining post-production costs of the film. Sliding-scale admission is $10-$25, with all proceeds going to the film. Here's the trailer:
