Poster for the film “Being Robin.”

On screen, an overhead shot moves in to focus on a man running across a snow-covered trail on the shores of Lake Whitehall. A caption beforehand reads: “In the winter of 2014, Roger Kabler came to believe he was visited by the spirit of Robin Williams.”

So begins Kabler’s new film, “Being Robin,” which is available now for streaming on major platforms like Amazon and Apple TV.

The movie chronicles Kabler’s journey to create a live tribute to the late Robin Williams. A good portion of the film was shot around Hopkinton.

“[There are] beautiful aerial shots of Lake Whitehall and Woodville,” said Kabler. Other filming locations in town include the Woodville Rod & Gun Club and the old Wheeler General Store on Wood Street, where Kabler used to live.

“Being Robin” blends documentary-style filmmaking, confessional narration, live tapings and dramatic scenes to create a “genre-fluid” film that tells Kabler’s story as he tries to honor Williams’ memory. It explores the thin line between inspiration and delusion as Kabler seemingly becomes possessed by Williams’ spirit.

Working with — and sometimes against — Williams, Kabler mounts a stage tribute that becomes a sensation all across America.

Kabler said he’s unsure whether the possession “is a spiritual manifestation or a psychological twist in my character.” Regardless, the reaction to the story he’s told on screen has been positive.

“So many people have written and said they’ve watched it and how touched they are by the movie and how meaningful it is,” said Kabler.

While it has fewer than 50 ratings so far, the film’s audience score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at 97%. Film critics have reviewed the film positively as well. 

The movie won Best Comedy Documentary at the Manchester International Film Festival in 2023 and was an honorable mention at the Big Apple Film Festival in 2022.

The roots of ‘Being Robin’

Roger Kabler hugs an audience member during a comedy act filmed for his movie. PHOTO/HOP TOP FILMS

The story of Kabler’s film begins long before Williams’ death, with an up-and-coming actor, comedian and impressionist from Framingham doing his best to navigate Hollywood.

After breaking through as a stand-up comedian and appearing on both “The Tonight Show” and “The Arsenio Hall Show,” Kabler landed a cast member role on CBS’ revival of “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1991. 

That job, along with a starring role on the 1992 sitcom “Rhythm & Blues” (in which Kabler played a white DJ at an all-Black Detroit radio station) was short-lived. A gig as the spokesperson for Zima, a malt beverage introduced by Coors Brewing Company in 1993, also came to an unceremonious end.

Kabler continued to work, landing a few guest appearances and some voice work, but the industry took its toll on him.

“It was like this drain, this Hollywood fame drain that you start circling down,” Kabler says in the film.

Grappling with addiction and two failed marriages, he did his best to get sober. He quit acting, took up painting, and then, finally — after being told that continuing in the industry might kill him — escaped Los Angeles to return east.

Kabler settled in Hopkinton, determined to never look back. 

Then, Robin Williams, who was battling major health issues, died by suicide in 2014 at his home near San Francisco, weeks after his 63rd birthday.

Williams’ death had a profound impact on millions of people. This was especially true for Kabler, who had been doing an impersonation of the comedian for years as part of his stand-up act.

Kabler’s impression was so good, he claimed, that even Williams himself had seen it and given it his approval. 

Not long after Williams’ death, Kabler was approached about reviving his act. He declined at first, adamant he would never go back to show business. But he says Williams’ spirit compelled to perform once again.

From stage to screen

Roger Kabler (in boat, on right) and co-star Alainna Rodgers paddle along Lake Whitehall while a crew from Hop Top Films captures the scene. PHOTO/HOP TOP FILMS

After the revival of his act proved successful, Kabler turned his sights on a more ambitious goal: a film chronicling his experience of channeling Williams. In 2019, he gathered a cast and crew to help him take “Being Robin” from an idea to reality.

“So much of this had to do with Robin urging me to go forward with this project,” Kabler explained.

Rockland-based production company Hop Top Films handled some of the principal photography. Playwright and theater critic Kevin Baldwin assisted with the screenplay.

The cast included a mix of professional actors and amateurs, some of whom reside in town.

“I hired some friends to step into roles, and that was fun,” said Kabler.

One scene in particular features Jeff Furber and Gail Monroe of the Hopkinton Area Land Trust, who happened to stumble upon Kabler during a filming day at Lake Whitehall.

“They happened to be passing by when I said, ‘Do you guys want to be in the movie?’ ” Kabler recalled.

About half the movie was shot in 2019, and then the COVID pandemic caused production to come to a standstill.

Kabler eventually hired a camera operator to help him finish shooting. He also did a lot of shooting on his own at Lake Whitehall and in his home.

“I began shooting narration with a camera that was lashed to a boat,” he said.

Five years and five editors later, Kabler has a final product he is proud of. He has premiered the film both in Boston and LA, and audience reactions have been notable.

“The best thing I heard is people went home and talked about it for hours,” said.

Added Kabler: “The best thing someone could say about the film is that it’s enigmatic.”

Perhaps the toughest mountain Kabler had to climb was figuring out distribution. Though it took a lot of additional editing and back and forth with a lawyer, Kabler managed to get “Being Robin” onto Amazon and other streaming platforms.

“I spent three months fine-tuning the film for Amazon so they’d be happy,” he said.

The film officially released on Amazon and other streaming services back in November.

Kabler’s next act

Now that the film is out, Kabler is eager to share it with his community.

“I want the town to know that this is available to see,” he said. “It’s a home-grown movie that made it big — big enough to be on Amazon.”

The film has had some local screenings, and Kabler is open to doing more. A screening is planned for Dec. 29 at the Regent Theater in Arlington.

In the meantime, he is resting, returning to painting and reflecting on his journey.

“It’s a miracle this film got out there,” Kabler said.

While the movie is a critical success for Kabler, he said it has caused some financial strain, which he is working to resolve. He continues to sell his paintings, as well as DVDs of the film.

He hopes to share the movie worldwide and that it can bring comfort to those who mourn Williams’ death like he does.

“I wanted to bring people together around this,” he said. “To me, it’s a healing thing, even though there’s some sadness in it.”

“Being Robin” is available for streaming on Amazon, Google Play and Apple TV. More information about the movie can be found at beingrobinthemovie.com.