In Optics of Aging stereotypes of ageism are confronted and the beauty of aging is revealed through five elders who have shaped the landscape of Rhode Island and beyond. Their voices take flight against the backdrop of archival imagery that captures the vision of an earlier time.
A Feature Documentary that brings to life the beauty of aging.
Optics of Aging will raise awareness and challenge stereotypes around aging. Through these elders’ stories, we find diverse and unique experiences that shine a light on aging and their individual contributions to the character of Rhode Island.
Our hope is that these stories also inspire and empower older adults to live their passions, overcome their challenges, and challenge age-related stereotyping. “Ageism harms everyone – old and young. But often, it is so widespread and accepted – in our attitudes and in policies, laws and institutions – that we do not even recognize its detrimental effect on our dignity and rights, said Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.” (World Health Organization)
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Umberto Boccioni, Nudo di spalle (Controluce), 1909
Meet Our Elders
While certain physical limitations are real as we age, some faculties strengthen and many people report the older years as being the happiest years of their lives. We hear that in the words of these elders. Through their voices, stereotypes about older adults dissolve as we discover humor, moxie, and lives tenaciously and beautifully lived.
Aly Stallman
90 years young when he died in 2019
Entrepreneur and Ironman triathlete in his 50s, who completed 27 marathons, also Founder and President of the Ocean State Marathon in Newport, RI. His courage inspired all who shared his fifteen-year struggle with brain cancer. Linda and Aly have known each other all of their adult lives but only in their 90s did the stars align for them to come together to care for each other. In the feature film, you will find out that Aly has just told his doctors that he wants no more treatments. He shares his feelings about his imminent death with grace and poignancy.
Linda Miller
90 years young when interviewed in 2019
The woman behind Lippett Hill Tutorial, later renamed Inspiring Minds, alleviated the stressors of 1960’s desegregation in Providence schools and delivered significant improvements in students’ academic performance. Linda grew up in a family of privilege that also taught her to give back to others. These values have guided her life from education reformer to psychotherapist, which she is still doing today. Her wisdom about aging shines through her ever-present humor.
Mildred Nichols
90 years young when interviewed in 2019
Beloved community leader, was a founding member of the Rhode Island Women’s Political Caucus, served on the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education and was Director of Career Counseling Service at the Rhode Island Department of Education, where she was instrumental in providing outreach to women known as "displaced" homemakers. Mildred is also a descendent of Joseph Trammel. She shares with us his freedom papers and her moving gratitude.
Morris Nathanson
95 years young when he died in 2022
Who co-designed De Pasquale Square in Providence, the first Dunkin’ Donuts, and was one of the founding designers for Trinity Repertory Theater. He has shaped the sights and sounds of Providence and abroad through his landmark architectural restaurant designs. The warmth in community of growing up in Pawtucket has shaped his whole life.
Phil West
77 years young when interviewed in 2019
Long-time state director of Common Cause and author of Secrets and Scandals: Reforming Rhode Island 1986-2006. The Providence Journal dubbed him “the godfather of political reform in Rhode Island.” Key to his pursuit of ethical government over the decades was establishing a Separation of Powers amendment in the Rhode Island Constitution. Phil’s quiet passion for justice resonates deeply.
Why This Film Matters
Ageism seems to be the only “ism” that is still OK to have.
Elders often speak of feeling invisible and worthless in our society. Stereotypes of old age can diminish elders’ ability to see themselves in a rich and unique elderhood. Those doing the stereotyping are also diminished as they shut themselves off from any vision of a rich and satisfying elderhood. We are all aging and these stories are vital to our own rich and wise aging.
These five elders’ voices take flight against the backdrop of archival imagery that captures the vision of an earlier time in Rhode Island when the state confronted challenges that required creative solutions. The ideas of these forward thinkers changed lives and shaped the legends and legacy during times of vast sociocultural change. Through these stories, our community remembers its past to inform a future that maintains the unique character of Rhode Island.
By supporting Optics of Aging, you become an integral member of a movement that challenges ageism and celebrates the rich tapestry of human experience.
Impact
Optics of Aging will raise awareness and challenge stereotypes around aging.
Some of the projected impact screenings could include:
- Organizing a southern New England film screening tour in partnership with a like minded foundation such as Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island or Age-Friendly Rhode Island.
- Organizing a national film screening tour in partnership with a like minded foundation such as AARP or The National Council on Aging.
- Presenting at related conferences nationwide.
- Meeting with policy-makers in Washington D.C. regarding using the film as a training tool.
- Partner with national, state-wide and local organizations to host screenings and panel discussions.
- Broadcast on Rhode Island PBS
Please join us in honoring these five elders and the colorful city they helped shape. Two of the five have passed on in the last few years creating an urgency for this film to be finished.
Project Updates & Press
The Premiere of Optics of Aging will be October 15, 2024!
We now turn out attention to distribution, social media management, community screenings, outreach, panels and more!
Sign up to find out about the premiere and subsequent screenings!
Please Enjoy These Clips From Optics of Aging
Distribution and Promotion
As I have done in the past, once the film is complete, we will seek to reach a wide audience through online platforms, community screenings and broadcasts. My first film, Death: A Love Story enjoyed seven different distribution outlets and is used in over 500 universities in the U.S. and Canada.
Resources
Resources for deepening knowledge and supporting choices in aging:
Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island
Age-Friendly Rhode Island
Old School Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse
American Society on Aging
Next Avenue
Meet Our Team
Click the photos to read our bios
The national award-winning documentary Death: A Love Story, marked Michelle’s debut as a filmmaker having directed, produced, written and photographed the film. It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, won top awards at several other film festivals, and aired on national PBS and CBC Canada. An analysis of the film was featured at Sundance (2000), by John Anderson, History in Documentaries (2005), by Alan Rosenthal (China edition), and Documentary Media (2009), by Broderick Fox. Death: A Love Story is currently used in classrooms in more than 500 universities, colleges and libraries in the US and Canada.
Michelle has taught film production and film studies at the University of Rhode Island for 15 years and has made several short films which can be found on her Vimeo channel: Vimeo.com/harkenprods
Ryan Bliss has been editing professionally for 12 years, in every area from corporate and academic, to music videos, short films and feature films. When he is not editing, he is writing, with numerous films in development. He is also the editor, writer and director of Alice Fades Away, a 2021 crime thriller. His keen eye for all facets of storytelling makes him an exemplary editor with years of knowledge and expertise in Post-Production.
Milana Jewels Cepeda is a music composer whose focus is composing for films and video games as well as personal works. Cepeda's style revolves around the importance of storytelling through intricate motives and rhythms, which form a personal connection with the listener. She has composed a variety of music and has most recently directed and composed music for an animated short film funded by the URI Arts and Sciences Fellows program, which explores how her music combined with the animation impacts the audience psychologically and emotionally.
Becca Bender is a curator and archivist of audiovisual materials, as well as an archival producer for documentaries. She approaches archiving with a deep commitment to centering access and engaging collaboratively with the communities represented in the archival materials. Prior to earning a master’s degree from NYU’s Moving Image Archiving and Preservation program, Becca worked as an archival producer on documentaries such as the Emmy-nominated Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise and Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies.
See The Film
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© 2024 Optics of Aging. A Film by Michelle Le Brun. All Rights Reserved.