Black Public Media to premiere “The Morgue Twins,” spotlighting twin NYC mortuary technicians

Black Public Media will debut The Morgue Twins on its AfroPOP Digital Shorts series on Oct. 19, bringing an intimate portrait of twin mortuary technicians to YouTube.

About The Morgue Twins

The documentary, directed by Nicaraguan‑American filmmaker Rebecca Blandón, follows retired identical twins Marvin and Melvin Morgan as they reflect on more than two decades of work in New York City’s death care industry. The film explores their experiences handling mass casualty events, daily trauma and the emotional toll of caring for the dead.

Twins Served During Major Crises

For over 20 years, the Morgan brothers worked in close proximity to death. Melvin served at Elmhurst Hospital, including during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic, when the facility became an epicenter of New York City’s crisis. Marvin worked at the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office and responded to major tragedies, including the September 11 attacks and the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 in Queens.

Their duties included collecting bodies, assisting with autopsies and providing care for the deceased. Yet, outside the morgue, the twins focused on the living. They created youth sports leagues, advocated for voter rights and collaborated with the city council to support safer neighborhoods.

Denise A. Greene, BPM’s director of programs, called the film “a moving portrait of two brothers who spent more than two decades facing what most of us look away from, meeting death with professionalism, humanity and grace.”

Black Stories Production Fund

With The Morgue Twins, BPM continues its commitment to advancing Black stories, despite Congress’s 2025 rescission vote, which defunded public media and eliminated $1.8 million from BPM’s budget. In response, BPM launched the Black Stories Production Fund, supported by a grassroots fundraising campaign. The 1.8 Million Donors campaign seeks to raise $9 million to help ensure that Black stories are never again left vulnerable to political interference or chronic underinvestment.

How to Watch

The Morgue Twins premieres Oct. 19 on Black Public Media’s YouTube channel.

More information is available at blackpublicmedia.org.