Maurice and Marvin is a story of love, loss, and the healing power of art. The film is a meditation on how one man, facing inconsolable grief, used photography – and Instagram – to cope, to honor his husband, and to create an online community for others mourning their own loved ones. It is also a tale of how social media, which often alienates and polarizes, can be a platform for forging deep interpersonal connection. The art historian Maurice Berger – best known for writing The New York Times “Race Stories” column – was one of COVID’s earliest U.S. victims in March 2020. Devastated by his death, his husband, curator Marvin Heiferman, turned to his Instagram account (@whywelook) to grapple with his loss. Posting one photo a day as he documented his anguish, Marvin quickly drew thousands of followers who found solace in his pictures – and a common bond.

Maurice and Marvin is directed by David Friend. A longtime Vanity Fair editor, Friend executive-produced the Oscar-shortlisted MLK/FBI, and won best documentary Emmys for 9/11 and LAKOTA NATION VS. UNITED STATES. The film features artist-political activist Nan Goldin, author-historian Sarah Lewis, artist-photographer LaToya Ruby Frazier, and writer-director Katherine Dieckmann as well as music by jazz powerhouse Jason Moran. Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg served as a key executive producer.