The Cumming Centre in Montreal has joined forces with local filmmaker Joshua Dorsey to create a powerful documentary tackling ageism and the societal stigma surrounding aging.
The documentary, titled “Ageless: Real Talk. Real Chance. To End Ageism,” premiered to a full audience at the Gelber Conference Centre on Monday night. Dorsey emphasized the film’s goal of highlighting the broad impact of ageism across different generations and aspects of life.
With funding from the provincial government’s SRQEA program, the filmmaking team traveled throughout English-speaking communities in Quebec, conducting interviews with over 50 individuals to capture their personal encounters with ageism.
Dorsey explained, “We aimed to foster a dialogue that includes perspectives from people of all ages and backgrounds, rather than relying solely on experts. Ageism affects everyone, not just the elderly, and our intention was to raise awareness about this pervasive issue.”
The documentary took a unique turn when Dorsey encountered Walter and Laurence, a remarkable pair residing in a rural region of northern Quebec. Their intergenerational partnership showcased a potential solution to combat ageism, portraying a narrative of collaboration and mutual respect.
Carrie Mazoff, a project coordinator at Cummings Centre, remarked on the film’s portrayal of what she termed “wisdom workers,” highlighting the synergy between seasoned individuals and younger generations eager to learn and engage in challenging tasks.
Debbie Ford Carom stressed the untapped potential of seniors as a valuable workforce, emphasizing the wealth of experience and knowledge they bring to society.
Joy Lowee, social action coordinator at Cummings Centre, emphasized the importance of seeing beyond age and nurturing genuine connections with people for combating ageism.
Dorsey concluded, “The core message we aim to convey is the necessity of addressing ageism through open dialogue. This film serves as a catalyst for initiating these crucial conversations.”
Due to the overwhelming success of the premiere, the Cummings Centre announced additional screenings of the 45-minute documentary in October and November, underscoring the significance of the film’s impact and the pressing need to address ageism in society.
