New York Doll, a film directed by BYU graduate Greg Whiteley, opened in Idaho Falls and Pocatello, Idaho, Dec. 2.

The film, titled for the 1970s rock band of the same name, follows the life of Arthur “Killer” Kane, the band’s bassist.

Kane, who struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and a failed marriage, was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1989 and was baptized, completely turning his life around. He eventually began work at the Family History Center Library, helping others to find family members and reconnect with relatives.

Kane contacted Greg Whiteley in Los Angeles, convinced him to make a movie of Kane’s experience and reunite the New York Dolls again.

Whiteley recalled how much the film meant to Kane.

“I’m convinced that Arthur woke up every single day aching to get his band back together,” Whiteley said. “I think it was the number one thing on his ‘to do’ list each day. And here it was finally happening.”

New York Dolls band member David Johansen lent his perspective about conversion.

“People who’ve really been through the war, but then come out on the other end as, for lack of a better word, spiritual beings — that’s the greatest kind of person in the world,” Johansen said.