The Mayor: A Chronicle of Williams Syndrome, with Josh Duffy
| Josh Duffy, the Mayor | |
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| The Mayor: A Chronicle of Williams Syndrome, with Josh Duffy | |
| A film by | Jake Jakubowski |
| Starring | Josh Duffy |
| Studio | |
Release date |
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Running time | 69 Minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | American English |
| Budget | $3,000 |
The Mayor: A Chronicle of Williams Syndrome, with Josh Duffy (also known as Josh Duffy, The Mayor) is a 2022 American documentary that was produced, written and directed by Jake Jakubowski. It is a Williams syndrome documentary about Josh Duffy from Brunswick, Maine. His trials, tribulations, successes, affinity for music, his unique abilities, and how he deals with living with a disability. It was first debuted on January 5, 2022 at the then, Tex-Mex restaurant, Bolos in Brunswick.
Josh Duffy is a 42 year old man with a unique rare genetic disorder called Williams syndrome. Duffy's personality is seen in social situations, but most people that know him, don't really know him. He has won a gold medal at the Special Olympics and can remember stories he's heard 20 years prior. People with Williams syndrome, including Duffy, have empathy and an unwittingness to give hugs to anyone they come in contact with.
Plot
The Mayor: A Chronicle of Williams Syndrome, with Josh Duffy starts off with Duffy walking down the street to visit with his friends, where he comes up to the Frank J. Wood Bridge (known locally as the Green Bridge), separating the two towns of Brunswick, and Topsham, Maine.
People with Williams syndrome have a difficult time navigating spatial relations[1], like bridges.
Duffy's grandfather, Bob Dale had a big influence on his life, it was difficult for him to comprehend that he passed away, but in the end he received his closure by overcoming his fear of the bridge by spreading part of his grandfathers ashes into the Androscoggin River. For his piloting in Antarctica, Dale was awarded a glacier named after him, Dale Glacier.
Growing up, Duffy had a difficult time in school. It was hard for him to stay focused and had difficulties with certain subjects like mathematics and science. However, even with disabilities, Josh won a gold medal in the 1996 Winter Special Olympics in Colorado.
A lot of people in Brunswick, Maine know of Duffy's affinity for music and how much he loves dancing. He talks about the good 'ol days
before the COVID-19 Pandemic and how he enjoyed dancing every weekend. He appreciates live bands and talks to people that share in his interests.
Many people with Williams syndrome do not live on their own, and reside in assisted living housing throughout their entire lives.[2] Living on their own can be very lonely. Duffy expresses how he does not like being alone, but at the same time enjoys his freedom. Even though he his an unofficial ambassador for his town, and knows a lot of people, he still always feels alone.
Puzzles are a big part of Duffy's life. Most people with Williams syndrome, have a difficult time with puzzles.[3] His mother finds it to be a bonding moment where they can put there differences aside and just relax. Duffy is an undiagnosed savant when it comes to puzzles.
During the credits of the film, Duffy discusses his take on former U.S. President, Donald Trump and wonders what type of music he listens to.
Film quotes
- Disease's mess with you from the outside, but syndromes mess with you from the inside.
- I don't believe that A B & C = D. It equals Z
- Sometimes the salt taste good, but I'd rather have the sugar.
- If ignorance is bliss, then I’m a blister
- Ignore the normal people, who knows what they’re thinking.
- If I have to start fires, to put out fires, then so be it.
- Forget normal, I need better!
- I'm a parasite inside a parasite inside of a host.
- I want to know the side effects before I swallow the pill
- I’m not an easy pill to swallow, not hard to vomit either.
- Don't push the envelope. Shove the envelope.
Screenshots
Josh Duffy at Wikimedia Commons
Opening title sequence
Josh Duffy bowling
Josh Duffy at the flea market
Josh Duffy in front of the Frank J. Wood Bridge
Josh Duffy on a swing set
Josh Duffy as an infant
Josh Duffy playing the drums
Josh Duffy in front of a pool table
Josh Duffy
Main article: Josh Duffy
Joshua Dale Duffy, known as Josh Duffy, was born on November 3, 1978 in California, to Marina Dale Passano and John Duffy, he is the sixth cousin 4 times removed from the famous lawman Wyatt Earp.[4] He was raised in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and as an adult resides in Maine.[5]
Williams Syndrome
First discovered by John C.P. Williams of New Zealand in 1961. Williams syndrome, also known as Williams-Burnham Syndrome, is a result of a gene deletion of a specific region on chromosome 7, containing 26 to 28 genes. Approximately one in 10,000 births are affected by this spontaneous gene deletion.[6]
Williams is associated with both Mental disorders and physical traits, including extroverted personalities, a broad forehead, heart defects, photosensitivity, Hyperacusis and among others, an affinity for music.[7]
Production
Directed by Jake Jakubowski under the production company DMJ Productions, this video production was a year in the making and a low budget film recorded with a DJI Pocket II camcorder and the Rode Wireless Go II Wireless Microphone system. The film was edited on a Macbook Air using Adobe Premiere video editing software.
Articles
- Carter, C. Thacher (November 1, 2021). "Brunswick Film Puts Spotlight on 'The Mayor,' a local man with a rare genetic disorder". The Times Record. Brunswick, Maine. (subscription required)
- Daughtry, Mattie (2021). "Documentary About Brunswick Man Premiering in January". Brunswick, Maine. (Newsletter).
- Charifi, Chayma; King, Delphine (November 11, 2022). "'The Mayor of Brunswick' and his best friend Jake Jakubowski talk the power of friendship". The Bowdoin Orient. Brunswick, Maine.
Citation
Jake Jakubowski (Director) (2022). The Mayor: A Chronicle of Williams Syndrome, with Josh Duffy (Documentary). Maine: DMJ Productions.
See also
Further Reading
External Links
DMJ Productions
| DMJ Productions | ||
| Films Directed by Jake Jakubowski | ||
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Release date: September 1, 2024 People: ALI H:ART Places: Portland, Maine • Bath, Maine • Dresden, Maine |
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Release date: January 5, 2022 People: Josh Duffy • Jake Jakubowski Places: Brunswick, Maine • Frank J. Wood Bridge • Bolos |
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| Future Productions (Working titles) |
Production | |
References
- ^ Farran, Emily K.; Hudson, Kerry D.; Bennett, Amelia; Ameen, Aan; Misheva, Iliana; Bechlem, Badri; Blades, Mark; Courbois, Yannick (2022). "Anxiety and Spatial Navigation in Williams Syndrome and Down Syndrome". Developmental Neuropsychology. Taylor and Francis. 47 (3). Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ Weiss, Thomas C. (February 2, 2018). "Williams-Beuren Syndrome: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis". disabled-world.com. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ "Williams Syndrome". Medline Plus. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
- ^ "Genealogy". familysearch.org. FamilySearch. Retrieved February 1, 2023. (Subscription needed)
- ^ Personal correspondence between Duffy and author of this article, February 3, 2022
- ^ Morris, Colleen A.; Adam, MP; Everman, DB; Mirzaa, GM (April 9, 1999). Williams Syndrome. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (Technical report). University of Washington. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ "What is Williams Syndrome?". Williams syndrome Association. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ Jake Jakubowski (Director) (2024). Red Flags: The Making of the Music Video, with ALI H:ART (Documentary). Maine: DMJ Productions.
- ^ Jake Jakubowski (Director) (2022). The Mayor: A Chronicle of Williams Syndrome, with Josh Duffy (Documentary). Maine: DMJ Productions.