Have You Seen "Young at Heart"?

Young at Heart is the most entertaining and inspiring film I’ve seen in quite a while. I laughed and cheered often and sometimes cried while watching this documentary about a singing group, ages 75-92, who perform punk rock music, James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” and other music that breaks all stereotypes for this age group. Nothing showy or rock-star imitation about this group though. They look and act like folks from down the street and they sing with all their heart – the words clearly articulated so you can understand them. They made me “feel good.”  

What is it about this film that’s so engaging?  Many things. Their dedicated and competent director, for one. He clearly loves music himself and he chooses songs he enjoys. They’re not easy pieces and he doesn’t seem to pick them to please the group but rather to challenge them. Hard-rock sounding “Schizophrenia” seems way out of bounds, and yet line by line, the group learns the song and makes it their own. You can tell this guy loves every one of these people. Mostly he expresses great confidence in them even when they’re struggling with their parts. But he also makes them work and even throws up his arms and gets tough on them at times when they’re forgetting lines or not getting the right beat. Yet, when they’re sick, he gives them plenty of slack about missing rehearsals, and he prepares the group members to step in for each other. In one performance at a prison shown in the film, the group goes onstage with such heartfelt gusto after learning one of their members has died that they get a rousing, teary-eyed standing ovation from the prisoners.

One thing that struck me about these singers was how much being a part of this group meant to them. They regularly showed up in the community center basement for rehearsals not just for the music. They came for their health and for the camaraderie. Several of them had major health crises going on, yet insisted on getting to practice because singing helped them feel better and besides they wanted to be part of this community of people who cared about them. Also, they had something to look forward to – not only learning the new songs but being onstage and hearing enthusiastic applause as they appeared on stages around the world.

Creating and contributing as part of a supportive community – is anything more joyous? This combination, to my mind, is what makes life grand at any age.

Young at Heart is not the only film about the benefits of artistic activity in later life. Public television stations across the country have been airing Do Not Go Gently, a documentary by Melissa and Eileen Godoy, that highlights the remarkable creativity and exuberance of artists 80+ to 109, from quilters in a rural setting to an accomplished professional classical composer to dementia patients in an adult day care center. I’ve watched this film numerous times, and it too has inspired my tears, laughter, and most of all awe. Please watch for it on your public television listings and view it if you can. Learn more at http://donotgogently.com

I recently had the privilege of working on (and in) a new film called The Creative Power of Aging, produced collaboratively by Twin Cities Public Television and the Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network. It introduces  older artists in Minnesota and also showcases exemplary community arts programs that engage people over 50 in many types of creative activities.

In addition to its frequent airing on Minnesota’s public TV stations, we’ve been showing this film to community groups, arts organizations, senior service organizations, and others interested in arts and aging. What most excites me about this film, as well as the two mentioned earlier, is that it awakens in the viewer some new possibilities. How can we have a choir like this where I live? What if I got out my paintbrushes again? Shall I try out for the next show at the community theatre? And community organizations that want to serve older adults are asking how they can get good quality programs started.  Learn more about this film at http://www.mncaan.net.

It’s exciting to see the arts become so much a part of the lives of older people. We can all sing, dance, draw, paint, or act if we want to – and it gets even better if we have a community of others to create and celebrate with.

Author of The Secret Wisdom of a Woman's Body: Freeing Yourself to Live Passionately and Age Fearlessly.
www.patsamples.com