24/S1 GERO 3103 A - Sp. Topics: Dementia in Film

The number of films that have featured dementia as a central plot, has significantly increased drawing more public attention to those living with the disease.  However, film is a powerful medium in forming and influencing societal perceptions and attitudes towards dementia and people living with it.  This seminar-lecture course explores the social construction of dementia  in mainstream and nonmainstream fiction film.  Students will critically analyse and discuss the common narratives of dementia portrayed in films and decipher whether these narratives reflect the realities of living with the disease.  Students will also explore the underlying messages about aging and dementia in films and the societal implications of those messages.  There will be a variety of films shown including mainstream, independent, Canadian, “classic” dementia films, and international.