Finally, a non-American film !! There is probably a rich body of gerontological movies which is inaccessible to English speakers (unless they appear in some foreign film festivals or can be down loaded with English translation).
So, I had the fortune to view a recent (2017) Italian film named Tutto Quello Che Vuoi (the English name is "Friends by Chance") by the Italian director Francesco Bruni.
The movie evolves around two main characters: The first is Alessandro, a young, jobless, high-school drop-out Italian who unwillingly takes a job to be the companion of an aging poet. The second, the old poet himself (Georgio), who is currently struggling with dementia and loneliness. The movie basically follows the development of the personal and inter-generational relationships between the two, along with a join journey to lost memories of Georgio.
On the one hand this is a beautiful Italian movie, which shows how personal interactions between young and old people can break down stereotypes, and develop empathy and care. It has a very "Italian" flavor" (some scenes would be viewed by American eyes as very sexist and ageist), which is refreshing and eye opening. It is also well contextualized in a European/Italian history, which in the case of older persons is still highly connected with the memories and traumas of WWII.
On the other hand, the movie has its short comings: the conversations are native, the plot is not really convincing is some parts; and it seems to be on the edge of a fairy-tale or a children's story.
Overall however, this is a fascinating non-American gerontological movie, which broadens the mostly American landscape in this cinematic field.
2017
Italia
Director: Francesco Bruni
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7LNUMN-0WM
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