Few love stories feel as profound, raw, and transformative as the one between poets Andrea Gibson (they/them) and Megan Falley (she/her). Now, their journey—a story that navigates the uncharted territories of love, cancer, and resilience—has been immortalized in the forthcoming documentary Come See Me in the Good Light. Premiering at Sundance next month, this intimate film offers a glimpse into the lives of two extraordinary queer poets, their relationship, and their unrelenting pursuit to turn life’s challenges into art.
Andrea Gibson is a titan in the world of spoken word and poetry. As Colorado’s Poet Laureate, their career spans five full-length poetry collections, including Lord of the Butterflies, a bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist. Known for their poignant explorations of identity, love, and social justice, Gibson’s work has earned accolades like the Independent Publishers Award and a devoted global following. Their ability to transform personal vulnerability into universal truth is evident across their books, spoken word albums, and live performances.
Megan Falley, a queer femme poet, writer, and teaching artist, has carved her own significant place in the literary world. With three full-length poetry collections, including Drive Here and Devastate Me, hailed by Autostraddle as “a love letter to the queer community,” Falley’s work celebrates queerness, passion, and resilience. Beyond poetry, her transition into creative nonfiction has garnered numerous accolades, including first-place prizes in the Tom Howard/John H. Reid essay competition and the So To Speak Creative Nonfiction Prize. Her memoiristic prose captures the same intimacy and fire that her poetry does, and through her workshops, she has taught countless students how to infuse their own lives into their art.
The love story of Andrea and Megan is not just an artistic partnership; it is a testament to the depth of queer love. Their relationship became the foundation for Come See Me in the Good Light, a documentary that chronicles their life together as they navigate the complexities of Andrea’s incurable cancer diagnosis. The film’s origin traces back to an idea from their friends, Stef Willen and Tig Notaro, who envisioned a documentary capturing the duo’s journey through illness, creativity, and love. Despite the vulnerability required to allow cameras into their most intimate moments—oncologist visits, chemo sessions, and quiet moments of waiting for results—Andrea and Megan quickly embraced the idea, seeing it as an opportunity to turn their struggles into a gift for others.
In Andrea’s words: “From early on in my diagnosis, my deepest wish has been to turn the experience into something that could help others. Still, I was shocked by how quickly and instinctively I said ‘yes’ [to the documentary].” Megan echoed this sentiment, describing their desire for the film to be “something beautiful. Something that could be a gift to others. Something like art.”
The documentary boasts an exceptional production team, including Tig Notaro as a producer and Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach as executive producers. Directed by Ryan White, known for his work on Pamela, A Love Story, the film balances humor, grace, and the raw emotions that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Megan’s reflection on watching the film for the first time reveals its depth: “The ridiculous joy, the ecstatic epiphanies, the claustrophobia of waiting for results… [the film] captures what I haven’t been able to wrestle into words.”
While Come See Me in the Good Light delves into the challenges of mortality, it is ultimately a celebration of life and love. The documentary’s title—a poetic invitation—captures the essence of what Andrea and Megan embody: a commitment to finding beauty and connection even in life’s darkest moments. Andrea’s description of Megan as “the love of my life, the love of all my lifetimes” underscores the depth of their bond, a love that radiates from every frame of the film.
For the queer community, Come See Me in the Good Light is more than a documentary; it is a mirror reflecting the power of authentic, unapologetic love. It is a reminder of the resilience that defines queer lives and relationships, and it offers an intimate exploration of how art can emerge from the most challenging experiences. As Andrea notes, “We thought we were making a documentary about dying, but we quickly realized it’s actually a documentary about living.”
With its Sundance debut on the horizon, Come See Me in the Good Light is poised to touch hearts and inspire audiences far beyond the festival circuit. This is not just a film to watch—it is a story to hold close, a luminous testament to love’s ability to transform even the heaviest of burdens into something beautiful.
