Experiencing Interruptions?

The Redemption of Mary Louisa McBroom

Synopsis
The Redemption of Mary Louisa McBroom is a dramatic documentary, based on a true story. It's a story of breaking free from generational abuse & childhood trauma. It spans four generations of one family and centers on an art exhibit called
Family Secrets.
Mary Louisa McBroom was the grandmother of artist, Steve Head. Steve never knew her as she committed suicide in 1943 at the Oklahoma State Hospital for the Insane, (in Norman, OK), after being a patient there for 9 long years.
Her story was never spoken of until, while doing his genealogy,
Steve was able to not only learn about her, but obtain the actual medical records of her stay there.
Mary was the mother of Steve's father, Alvie.
Mary's father was an alcoholic, as was her father-in-law, Phelix. This documentary connects the links in the chain of many generations of abuse and childhood trauma. The film also documents the struggle to break those chains and is intended to offer hope to others.

  • Gregory Fish
    Director
  • Steven Head
    Producer
    The Butterfly People
  • Gregory Fish
    Writer
    Steadfast, The Butterfly People
  • Steven Head
    Writer
    The Butterfly People
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Drauma, Documentary, True Story
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 35 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 29, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    75,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Uganda, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Sneak Peek (Local) Route 66 Theater
    Webb City, MO
    United States
    October 5, 2025
  • Sneak Peek (Local) Route 66 Theater
    Webb City, MO
    United States
    October 6, 2025
  • Sneak Peek (Local) Route 66 Theater
    Webb City, MO
    United States
    October 7, 2025
  • Sneak Peek (Local) Route 66 Theater
    Webb City, MO
    United States
    October 12, 2025
Director Biography - Gregory Fish

Gregory Fish is a documentary filmmaker and storyteller whose work focuses on themes of resilience, hope, and transformation in the face of adversity.

Like many independent filmmakers, he takes on a variety of roles and is involved in every stage of the creative process.

He began his career with Steadfast (2012), a feature-length documentary chronicling stories from one of the most devastating tornadoes in U.S. history, which struck his hometown. More than a decade later, he revisited those events in The Butterfly People (2024), a companion film that examines the mysterious, faith-tinged experiences reported by children during the same storm.

His latest film, The Redemption of Mary Louisa McBroom (2025), is a powerful true story about breaking cycles of generational trauma and rediscovering hope.

Through careful attention to detail and empathy-driven storytelling, Gregory’s films invite audiences into deeply human experiences that often leave a lasting emotional impact.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The Redemption of Mary Louisa McBroom provided an opportunity to build on the experience and storytelling approach that shaped my earlier films while exploring new creative depths. Shaping this extraordinary story into a powerful narrative was both challenging and deeply fulfilling. The finished film stands as a heartfelt expression of resilience and hope amid some of life’s most difficult circumstances.