New local documentary confronts ageism in society – Herb Weiss

By  Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues

Big News. After three years in fundraising, filming and production, FilMMAker Michelle Le Brun is poised to showcase her new 55-minute document, “Optics of Aging,” on Oct. 15 at 5:00 pm., at the Providence Public Library in the Donald Farish Auditorium.  

This full-length documentary’s premiere is support by The Rhode Island Foundation, The Robertson Foundation, RI State Council on the Arts and The Providence Public Library, and about $11,423 raised on GoFundMe (goal set at $20,000).  

In “Optics of Aging”, stereotypes of ageism dissolve and the beauty of aging is revealed through five Rhode Island elders who have shaped the landscape of Rhode Island and beyond, says Le Brun. “Their voices take flight against the backdrop of archival imagery that captures the vision of an earlier time,” she said.

This is not Le Brun’s “first rodeo” in making documentaries.  Her first film Death: A Love Story premiered at Sundance film Festival in comPetition in 1999 (now available now in over 500 universities in the U.S. and Canada),   It won Best Documentary at Santa Barbara film festival and got several honors at other film festivals. It enjoyed seven different kinds of distribution over 20 years. She also teaches in the Film Media Department at the University of Rhode Island (URI).

The Epiphany…

According to Le Brun, the subject of aging is front and center in our country right  now. How old is too old? Is age really just a number? Regardless of one’s answer to these questions, we all have ageist stereotypes that we grow up with from a very young age.

At  age 61, the Providence filMMAker had an epiphany about her own aging. “I had all  kinds of negative images in my mind about what it means to grow old.  Images of decrepitude and rapidly decreasing Health, not being able to get up the 41 stairs to my home, isolated,” she remembered. 

“But I also knew people in their 90s who were nothing like my conditioned images of the elder years. The more I looked around, I began to notice that in fact, there were many people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s that defied the images I had of what it means to be an elder,” says Le Brun. 

“So, I thought I would reach out to them and ask about their lives and their feelings about aging,” notes Le Brun. ”There are so many very interesting and unique elders in our community, I had a hard time deciding who to interview. I decided the common element that would pull them all together is that they had each done something at some point in their lives that contributed to the character of Rhode Island,” she added. 

“From there, I found various people word-of-mouth except Phil West who I already knew from University of Rhode Island, adds Le Brun.   

“And one of the things I have realized in making this film, is that we are all a thread in the tapestry of this place; of Rhode Island – of any place we call home. Our home is living and breathing, ever changing. We shape the place we live in as it in turn shapes us,” she stated. 

Five Elder Voices

On her website, Le Brun notes: “The five elders’ 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 legends and legacies 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. 

These five elder Rhode Islanders raise awareness and challenge society’s stereotypes around aging and celebrate the elder years.  “Their personal narratives create a tapestry of perspectives that showcase the beauty, resilience, and wisdom that comes with advancing age,” says Le Brun. 

And their backgrounds are detailed on the Optics of Aging web site:

“Linda Miller (90 years young at filming), the woman behind Lippitt Hill Tutorial, later renamed Inspiring Minds, that alleviated the stressors of 1960’s desegregation in Providence schools and delivered significant improvements in student’s academic performance. Her stalwart 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.”

“Phil West (77 years young when interviewed in 2019) long-time state director of Common Cause and author of Secrets and Scandals: Reforming Rhode Island1986-2006.The Providence Journal dubbed him “The Godfather of Political Reform in Rhode Island.” The 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. 

“Aly Stallman (90 years young when he died in 2019) entrepreneur and Ironman triathlete in his 50s, also Founder and President of the Ocean State Marathon in Newport, RI. In the feature film, Aly has just told his doctors that he wants no more treatments. He shares his feelings about his imminent death with grace and poignancy”. 

“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.”

“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 Services at the Rhode Island Department of Education where she was instrumental in providing out reach 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.” 

As Le Brun says, “ageism is the last “ism” it seems still ok to have. Let’s change that!” 

Working alongside Le Brun were Ryan Bliss (Editor), Milana Cepeda (Composer), Becca Bender (Archival Producer), Roxanne Ducharme, in Panama (Graphic Design and Animation), and Mauro Colangelo in Italy (Post-Production Audio and Mix). An international team.

To register for the premiere and join the discussion at Providence Public Library, go to https://provlib.libcal.com/event/12675871 .

For updates and future screenings go to: https://www.opticsofaging.com/

To fund Optics of Aging’s outreach, go to  https://www.gofundme.com/f/optics-of-aging-beyond-the-number  

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To read more articles by Herb Weiss, go to: https://rinewstoday.com/herb-weiss/

Herb Weiss, LRI -12, is a Pawtucket-based writer who has covered aging, health care and medical issues for over 43 years. To purchase his books, Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly and a sequel, compiling weekly published articles, go to herbweiss.com.