MERRYMAN

For Ron Merriman, Christmas is not just a time of year, it’s a state of mind. Since 1981, Ron has adorned his home in the former mill town of Torrington, Connecticut with an extensive light display. Tourists flock to the “Torrington Christmas House” to see the lights outside and walk through his animatronic holiday decoration collection which has taken over most of the interior. While his home spreads the cheer of the holiday season for those who visit, Ron’s own life has been a little less bright. This short documentary sheds light on how Ron’s passion for Christmas has affected his relationships with his own mother and the town around him.

Directors’ Bio

Gabe Harden is an artist, independent filmmaker, and photographer based out of Brooklyn, NY. He attended the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College with a concentration in Cinematography. Through his work in feature films, documentaries, commercials, and music videos he utilizes his adaptability and creative dexterity to deliver the story at hand. Over the last two years he has traveled to tell stories in four continents, from remote villages in Uganda and Ecuador, to the beaches of Ibiza and mountains of Alaska.

Zeke Spector is a director, producer, and editor based in Brooklyn. A visual storyteller, Zeke has produced award winning content for both the TV and the web. He has spent the last four years at VICE Media where he started as an overnight assistant editor and ended as a broadcast producer for their TV channel, VICELAND. Zeke’s dedication to finding the “truth” has leant to his success in both documentary and comedy productions. He also knits.

Plays in

MATINEE ONE

The Nitehawk Shorts Festival MATINEE ONE program presents eight short films that explore sincere and insincere quests for intimacy, the attraction of nostalgia, and a very personal look at our immigration climate.