Waltham Filmmaker Featured At GlobeDocs Film Festival

WALTHAM, MA — The work of a Waltham filmmaker will be featured at GlobeDocs Film Festival, an annual event that celebrates the true stories told in documentary films.

The Beautiful Worlds of David Riley is a collaboration between East Boston artist David Riley and filmmaker Cathleen O’Connell. an It will screen on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge as part of the GlobeDoc’s ”Local Shorts: Sharing Our World” program. Following the screening, there will be a question and answer session with the director.

The 15 minute short film follows the life of Riley, a self-taught artist who was exposed to high levels of lead as a child. He began painting in his 40s, drawing inspiration for his colorful canvases from the streets of Boston as well as pop culture, movies, and television.

O’Connell, an independent documentary producer whose work has been broadcast on PBS, Discovery and the History Channel, first met Riley at open studio event in East Boston in 2018.

“When I first saw David’s work, I was blown away,” O’Connell said in a statement. “And when I met him in person, I immediately saw that he was a very charismatic person and a great storyteller, so I knew there was potential for a film project.”

Shortly after meeting, the pair sat down for several interviews about David’s life and work. When the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted their plans for additional filming, O’Connell crafted the footage they had into a short film during the shutdown.

“The Beautiful Worlds of David Riley is not only the story of a unique and talented artist, but it’s also a love letter to Boston,” O’Connell added.

The documentary references local landmarks including Cheers, Revere Beach and Route 1’s Hilltop Steakhouse cactus sign. O’Connell also found archival footage of Boston TV personality Captain Bob, whose “how to” art show was one of David’s early inspirations. O'Connell filmed on the MBTA and at BLICK art supply on Massachusetts Avenue, and to show the breadth of David’s work, she assembled dozens of his paintings and had them professionally photographed for the film.

“We borrowed paintings from everywhere, including from Massachusetts State Representative Adrian Madaro, loaned us two of David’s paintings from his State House office,” O’Connell said.

The film also features an interview with David’s mother and longtime East Boston resident Fran Riley, who traces her son’s journey as an artist. Fran said she hopes the film will lead to greater awareness about the long term impact of lead poisoning on both individuals and families.

“Maybe as an older parent I can share something with a younger parent and give them hope and inspiration,” she said in a statement.

In addition to the short film, O’Connell and Riley have collaborated on a virtual gallery of his work at www.davidrileyartist.com.

“I’m honored to work with David to help bring his art to a wider audience,” O’Connell said. “How David sees the world has inspired me to see the world differently, and we both want to share that vision and positivity with others.”

The GlobeDocs Film Festival takes place in select theaters across Boston and includes post-film conversations with Boston Globe journalists to turn screenings into an opportunity for the community to come together and have an open dialogue. For tickets, click here.