A new film series connects youths with the older generation and shares their stories through The Revera and Reel Youth Age is More Film Project.
Image Credit: Reel Youth Flickr
January 16, 2020 - 3:00 PM
Ralph Milton, 85, is one of 10 Dorchester Retirement Residence residents who stars in 10 specially-produced documentary films developed through The Revera and Reel Youth Age is More film project.
The project connects younger people with older adults to create films that revolve around themes and social issues concerning aging and ageism.
Milton said aging is often portrayed negatively and many people avoid discussing issues around death and aging, but with this film project he’s found there’s solace to discussing these topics.
“Dying is not bad,” he said. “One of the things that we do at this stage of our life, consciously or otherwise, is that we’re trying to make sense of our lives. Why the struggle? What was the point of it all?” he said. "One of the things I’m grateful for is their attempt to tell the stories of what the older generations of seniors is about."
Born in the prairies, Milton is accustomed to broadcast and the spotlight, working in communications for 45 years. He started his career working in radio soap operas in Winnipeg.
“They were awful,” he said.
He’s also spent time training overseas broadcasters how to use radio and television for community development. A storyteller by nature, Milton is also an author and has written 17 books.
Filmmaker Samantta Villanueva, 26, discovered that the stories of the residents were the most impactful part of the project.
“I really enjoyed hearing the stories the film stars had to tell. They were full of wisdom and were very captivating,” she said.
The videos will be screened at 6:30 p.m. today, Jan. 16, at a gala event at The Dorchester Retirement Residence in Kelowna.
The event will also be live streamed on Revera’s Facebook page here.
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