Whaleheart Productions

10/08/2025

And this one from Reach REACH OUT

A big Thank you to all that came out last night for the premier showing of Michael and Damian produced and directed by Gabe Van Lelyveld and edited by Olivier Matthon.

Following Michael McCutcheon as he navigates the challenging landscape of helping individuals struggling with addiction was both heart-wrenching and uplifting. You will find yourself crying and laughing throughout, as the documentary beautifully balanced the harsh realities of addiction with moments of hope and connection.
Michael and Damion will touch your heart and reminds us of the power of kindness and the importance of supporting one another in our darkest times.
If you’re looking for a film that’s both eye-opening and emotionally moving, this documentary is a must watch.
We will post dates and times of future showings.

Reachoutcommunity.org

10/08/2025

Just stumbled across this sweet post from the Rose Theatre

10/08/2025

While I'm at it, here's the new Instagram account for the film. It'll change your life guaranteed, or your money back.

2 Followers, 1 Following, 1 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Gabe Van Lelyveld ()

10/08/2025

Check out the new website for 'Michael and Damian'.

https://www.michaelanddamianfilm.com/

It includes info on how to host a screening of the film anywhere in the world. If you know anyone who you think would be interested in that, please do share.

-Thanks!

P.S. Yes, I was trying to look goofy in this picture. I think I succeeded.

09/22/2025

I'm looking into web addresses for 'Michael and Damian'. Considering the following:

michaelanddamian.film ($120/yr)
michaelanddamianfilm.com ($22/yr)
mandd.film ($120/yr)
manddfilm.com ($22/yr)

Do you have think the .film addresses are worth the extra money? The last two are a lot short but not obvious on their own as to what they're for. Would you steer clear of them? An/all thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

09/19/2025

HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT

The premiere of our feature documentary, Michael and Damian, comes at an extremely poignant time for the issue of homelessness in our community.

Just this Wednesday, the Leader announced in a front page article that the city plans to close the encampment behind DSHS by early November, "citing the need for consistency in enforcing city codes and a lack of staff training and equipment."

https://www.ptleader.com/stories/city-plans-to-close-dshs-encampment-by-early-november,225830

I won't try to summarize the article or the complexity of this decision on behalf of the city, but it is important to know that this encampment began to grow after the encampment at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds was shut down in 2021. At the time, some folks who were living there went to the newly-created Caswell-Brown Village off of Mill Road while others began sheltering behind DSHS, both on city-owned property as well as in the forest of a privately-owned neighboring parcel.

So, what can concerned citizens do to help the situation?

Get Informed: Stay abreast of developments by listening to and reading local media: KPTZ, The Leader, Peninsula Daily News, and The Beacon

City Meetings: Attend city council and other local governance meetings. https://cityofpt.us/calendar

Talk About It: Bring it up in conversation with friends and neighbors. Ask for other people's opinions on how best to help the unhoused in our community.

One opportunity to discuss the issue is today at PTFF's Community Discussion on Housing, which will "explore the current resources and future plans to assist those in need of housing and recovery support in Port Townsend." Michael and I will be on the panel along with a number of local housing experts and advocates. It's free and non-ticketed, meaning you can just show up. https://ptff2025.eventive.org/schedule/688bbd5871895035b1a6fa9b

Volunteer At And/Or Donate to Local Nonprofits: We have many fantastic and hard-working organizations that are doing everything they can to help folks meet their basic needs and improve their situations, whether that be with food and other necessities, access to a warm space in winter, housing, mental health services, healthcare, medically-assisted treatment, and so much more. There are too many to list here, but I do want to highlight Michael McCutcheon's (from the film) REACH OUT , as well as the Community Foundation's (JCF) list of over 400 local non-profits.

09/19/2025

MICHAEL AND DAMIAN PREMIERES TODAY AT Port Townsend Film Festival!

The time has come. At 1:30 pm tomorrow at the American Legion in Port Townsend, Michael and Damian will make its official world premiere at the Port Townsend Film Festival (PTFF).

Tickets are available at the link below as well as at the door if it doesn't sell out ahead of time.

https://ptff2025.eventive.org/schedule/6883deff00c1f7218ee26923

On behalf of the entire team, we are thrilled to share this local story with the broader community.

We hope you can join us and that you'll help spread the word!

If you can't make it out today, don't despair. You can catch the film at the virtual festival, September 22-28. Passes are available now and individual rentals will be available starting September 22.

09/19/2025

On Monday, The Jefferson County Beacon released a new round of PTFF film reviews, including a glowing review of 'Michael and Damian.' I'll paste the whole thing below but here are a couple of the best lines.

"...the contagiously human and humane depictions of both Michael and Damien should be required watching for everyone..."

and

"the levity of Michael and Damien’s relationship is profound, and it adds a much-needed humanizing lightness."

Thank you Nhatt Nichols for your kind words!
--

What to Watch at the Port Townsend Film Festival
The Jefferson County Beacon, Sept. 15 2025
by Nhatt Nichols

Michael and Damien, Documentary- In a rural town, we don’t often get to see ourselves reflected on screen. That would be reason enough to watch this, but the contagiously human and humane depictions of both Michael and Damien should be required watching for everyone, not just everyone on the peninsula.

The documentary follows both Michael, an ex-addict who is the human embodiment of the helpers that Mr Rogers asks that we look for, and Damien, a young man struggling to overcome the huge challenges that life has thrown his way. This could be a deeply depressing documentary, but the levity of Michael and Damien’s relationship is profound, and it adds a much-needed humanizing lightness. Showing: Fri, Sep 19th, 1:30 PM

09/17/2025

'Michael and Damian' received a glowing review in The Jefferson County Beacon. Thank you, Nhatt Nichols, for your kind words.

"In a rural town, we don’t often get to see ourselves reflected on screen. That would be reason enough to watch this, but the contagiously human and humane depictions of both Michael and Damien should be required watching for everyone, not just everyone on the peninsula.

The documentary follows both Michael, an ex-addict who is the human embodiment of the helpers that Mr Rogers asks that we look for, and Damien, a young man struggling to overcome the huge challenges that life has thrown his way. This could be a deeply depressing documentary, but the levity of Michael and Damien’s relationship is profound, and it adds a much-needed humanizing lightness. Showing: Fri, Sep 19th, 1:30 PM"

https://ptff2025.eventive.org/schedule/6883deff00c1f7218ee26923

Tickets on sale now!

Damian is an aspiring comic, musician, and spiritual healer battling addiction and the stresses of homelessness. Michael is a passionate advocate for recovery fueled by decades of lived experience. Together, they struggle to overcome their demons and live lives of creativity, compassion, and connect...

05/27/2025

The Beacon is carrying an article I wrote about the making of 'Michael and Damian.' Hope you enjoy!

Citizen Screen is a monthly column dedicated to film and film-related topics, sourced and curated by Port Townsend Film Festival. This month’s column is by Gabe Van Lelyveld, an award-winning writer, producer, director, editor, and DP working primarily in documentary and commercial film.