Martin

Short is sometimes good. This 9:21 minutes long movie is a good proof. While being on the margins of entering this blog - as the hero - Martin - is "ageless" (very little attention is given to his chronological age) - it is in my view certainly a "gerontological movie". Gerontology is about "aging", and "aging" is not only about "age" or "chronological age" but about the social construction of these concepts and terms.

Martin is was made by Donal Moloney, a professional Irish photographer. It's a short documentary about a homeless man in Dublin, Ireland. Living on the streets for 14 years, he was basically "invisible" - until "found" by Moloney. Being "homeless" and experience aging is not something which is much discussed or dealt, neither in academic world nor in social policy. This beautiful short movie is successful in "touching" the unique subjective experience of what it means and the real and perceived challenges it raises.

It also very elegantly questions our deep rooted assumptions and fears about life, death, the meanings of our existence, and what makes us happy.

One of the most beautiful and touching short gerontological movies I've ever seen. Highly recommend + it's even totally free to watch in full length.

2017

Director: Donal Moloney

Link to full movie: https://vimeo.com/231701977?utm_content=bufferbd654&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

For those who wonder how Martin's story ended up, see a follow up report:

http://www.thejournal.ie/martin-finds-a-home-3654955-Oct2017/