The Rhode Island Historical Society will host a screening of the new documentary The Optics of Aging from filmmaker and professor Michelle LeBrun, on Wednesday, December 11, at 5:30pm.
Optics of Aging takes on the realities of aging and ageism through simple, personal stories of “olders.” While certain physical limitations are real as we age, there are many faculties that strengthen and many people report the older years as being the happiest years of their lives. Through the voices of five elders who have shaped the character of Rhode Island, ageist stereotypes are dissolved and wisdom in aging is revealed. Stereotypes not only have the effect of causing early death for those that hold them but they also serve to maintain biases in our country that rob young and old alike of wisdom, guidance, learning, and a wealth of experience and knowledge
Following the screening, there will be a conversation with the film’s director Michelle LeBrun.
Attendance for the talk is free, but registration is required. Tickets are available here.
Le Brun is a producer, director, and cinematographer. Her debut documentary, Death: A Love Story, 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. The film is currently used in classrooms in more than 500 universities, colleges and libraries in the US and Canada. LeBrun 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.