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Category Archives: Ageing
THE WIFE (2017)
I saw The Wife on the big screen with my partner and a friend (male) the three of us over 80 years old. It was remarkable that the three of us had to say something immediately at the end, even … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, ageing couple, audience responses, critics, family, Film Analysis, FILM RECEPTION, melodrama
Tagged comedy, death, family, film interpretation, Glenn Close, housewife, humour, husband/wife relationship, kermode, melodrama, music, nobel prize, Peter Bradshaw, reviews, strong woman, Stuart Hall, writers
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CINEMAS, FILMS AND AGEING
Cinema, Films and Ageing. I have been running old women film groups for the last twenty years and blogging about the representation of the old woman in feature films for the last ten years. My relationship with cinemas, film, film … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, audience responses, classic, family, food
Tagged Ang Lee, Buddhism, culture clash, family, film club, food, generation clash, humour, lifestyle, photos, Tai chi master
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FACES PLACES (VISAGES VILLAGES) (2017)
If you are interested in old age and cinema do not miss Agnes Varda and JR film released this week in London. Any comments from my part would be superfluous. The film speaks for itself.
Posted in Ageing, classic, documentary, intergenerational relationships
Tagged Ageing, agnes varda, dockers, feel good, feminism, humour, image, JR, life, media, photography, photos, Rural france, vision problems, women
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HOTEL SALVATION (2016) at EON
18 members present 15 stayed for the discussion The discussion was extremely interesting, nearly unanimous in praising the film. Only two people were very critical. One objected to the way the old man manipulated his son, the other was very … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, audience responses, death, family, FILM RECEPTION, food, grief
Tagged arranged marriage, Buddhism, cremation, end of life, family, father/son relationship, film reviews, food, Granddaugher/grandfather relationship, history, humour, India, life, lifestyle, male point of view, resurection, reviews, varanasi, women
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HOTEL SALVATION (2016)
This is not about the representation of an old woman in films but my personal – as an old woman – take on Hotel Salvation. I fail to see why this film has been so praised by influential reviewers. … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, Ageism, care, death, fable, family, FILM RECEPTION, grief
Tagged after life, arranged marriage, Ballad of Narayama, cremation, death, family, father/son relationships, Hindu beliefs, humour, scooter, The Gange, varanasi
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Mrs. Caldicot’s Cabbage War (2002)
Before I write about the EON (Ealing Over 60 network) film session Mrs. Caldicot’s Cabbage War I would like to quote again the most outrageously sexist/ageist example in journalism that I have encountered in my extensive reading about films. … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, Ageism, audience responses, care homes, critics, family, FILM RECEPTION
Tagged abuse of old people, Ageism, Atul Gawande, care home, family, food, humour, interviews, media, retirement home, reviews, sexism
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To my followers
To my followers: Thank you for the comments on my last blog encouraging me to carry on writing about films and old women. By a curious coincidence I found the real reason for my weariness. It is not only the … Continue reading
SUMMER REFLECTIONS on films featuring old women.
Too hot to think clearly. Too hot to sit for a long time looking at the screen. Too hot to remember the times spent talking about ageing and films. The laughs and heated discussions. My friends long departed. Is … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, Ageism, audience responses, critics, death, Film Analysis, FILM RECEPTION
Tagged Ageism, All About Eve, media, Old women in films, Pather Panchali, reviews, Volver
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FILMS – DEMENTIA – LOCAL CINEMAS
Cinememories at the Phoenix There are many films about dementia. Most of them are documentaries but there are also more or less accurate and enlightening feature films with famous actors. I came across an inspiring project in London: the use … Continue reading
AFTER LIFE (2008)-2 . Social realism.
Having looked at Kore-eda’s (K-E) exploration of some aspects of memories in After Life (1998) I am left with an insatiable need to investigate the content of these memories. It is a difficult task to unravel the documentary from the … Continue reading
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THE STRAIGHT STORY at ‘EON’ AND EDIE
A full house again at the Ealing Oldies Network (EON). The Straight Story (1999) elicited an interesting exchange of views. It took some time to discover Lynch’s oblique way of exposing deep issues by visual means, discover Alvin’s back story, … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, family
Tagged Ageing, David Lynch, determination, family, memories, mend the past, Sheila Hancock, wrinkles
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AFTER LIFE (1998) Life review
When I started blogging about films and older women in 1999 I was determined to be as thorough in my research and detailed about my analyses in order to be considered more than an amateur reviewer. At the age of … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, Ageism, death, family, Film Analysis, film making, grief, guilt, love
Tagged death, family, history, interviews, Kore-eda, life, life review, love, memories, photos, reviews, women
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EALING OLDIES NETWORK FILM SESSION
Our March film session at the Ealing Oldies Network was poorly attended due to the snow and treacherous slippery streets. My need to go back home early was imperative. There were only 8 women present and I decided to talk … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, Ageism, critics
Tagged actors, age, Ageing, Ageism, gender, representation, representation old woman
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OSCARS 2018, SEXISM, AGEISM
I have never been enthralled by the Oscar ceremonies and awards and have rarely followed the news about the overinflated and nauseating event. Yesterday however two links were brought to my attention. https://www.nextavenue.org/academy-awards-2018-oscars-ageist/ https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2018/03/2018-vanity-fair-oscars-seliger-portrait-studio? I will not declare that AGEISM … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, Ageism
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VOLVER (2006) Ealing Oldies Network
Full house again at the EON : 14 women, 4 men for Volver A very dense and complex discussion difficult to convey due to the variety of themes summarised here. Two women had seen the film before. Two immediate … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, audience responses, death, family, FILM RECEPTION, grief, motherhood, murder, three generations of women, women's friendships
Tagged abuse, almodavar, cemetery, family, food, humour, incest, lifestyle, music, violence, women, women resilience
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Note of comments ‘Pather Panchali’ – Ealing Oldies Network (EON) 22 Jan 2018
About twenty attended. One, who had seen it before, found the film engaged her in the same way as when she’d first seen it. Comments, as main themes, were: Much more than a story: the forest, nature, land, water/the well, … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, audience responses, classic film, family
Tagged family, food, housing, nature, old aunt, poverty, women
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Pather Panchali in Ealing
18 enthusiastic people attended the fifth film session of the Ealing Oldies Network (EON): Pather Panchali (1955). The post viewing session was very lively and everybody participated and shared feelings and thoughts. (Notes not available). What was remarkable for me … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, ageing couple, audience responses, classic film, family, FILM RECEPTION, grief, motherhood
Tagged Apu trilogy, family, image, music, women
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OLD WOMEN AND HORROR FILMS
In the 18/01/2018 issue of The Guardian, Anne Bilson examines the Old Woman in Horror Films and coins the word “hagsploitation”. I admit I have paid no attention to these films in my research. The genre has never appealed … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, horror films
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TELL ME A RIDDLE (1980)
10 years ago I put aside, to watch later, the newly released Tell me a Riddle (1980) dvd. I just found it lost amongst some books. I could not resist letting go the boring Xmas preparations and taking a peep … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, ageing couple, critics
Tagged actors, ageing couple, body, family, feminism, flashbacks, history, image, nighmares, photos, political engagement, reviews
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Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017)
Just a note to add the above to Ageing Actor category. Also the second film this season for breast cancer to be in the picture. (The other film being Aquarius).
Posted in Ageing
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AQUARIUS (2016) partial analysis
In The Greater London Pensioner Association newsletter (October 2017) Judith Olley writes about the Representation of Older People on Film. It is refreshing to read about films from an older person’s viewpoint and I picked up two films that I … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, audience responses, family, Film Analysis, FILM RECEPTION, motherhood, three generations of women
Tagged actors, Ageing, anger, beach, birthday, breast cancer, building, cancer, changing times, chemotherapy, corruption, daughter, family, friendship, group of old women, history, intergenerational relationship, laughing yoga, Long hair, maid, mastectomy, media, mother and son, mother/daughter, nephew, nepotism, orgy, photos, physical exercise, redevolpment, representation old woman, still doing it, termites invasion, tower blocks, vinyl records
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PAULINE AND PAULETTE (2001)
Third film at the Ealing Oldies Network. The 18 people present were enthusiastic. They appreciated the film and the exchange of views at the end was very lively and informed. It was evident that a few had some experience in … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, audience responses, care, FILM RECEPTION
Tagged actors, amateur dramatics, care, care home, carer, caring, communication, family, flowers, learning difficulties, mother/daughter, nature, photos, representation old woman, retirement, reviews, shop keeper, sisters, small village, women
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AQUARIUS (2016)
A film that has probably one of the most fascinating, strong and magnetic female characters in cinema in recent years. Lucía Ros Serra Espinof At the age of 82 I have lived 53 years in our house. The tearoom, … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, audience responses, FILM RECEPTION
Tagged communication, corruption, family, feminism, film reviews, flowers, grandmother, harassment, housing, humour, interviews, lifestyle, memories, music, old woman, photos, reviews
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MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW (1937)
It is a pleasure to present a classic film to a group of friends who take the responsibility of all arrangements for the viewing and documentation.. Of the 15 old people present none knew Make Way for Tomorrow but two … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, ageing couple, audience responses, classic film
Tagged audience responses, classic, couple separation, family, humour, kindness of strangers, Leo Carey, memories, Ozu
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The Hundred Foot Journey (2014)
The Hundred Foot Journey (2014) Michelin Star and Indian spices get together. or Tout est pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes possibles. Voltaire I always look at the DVDs on the supermarket shelves to see what is selling. … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, critics, fable, food
Tagged chefs, family, feel good film, food, French food, Helen Mirren, Indian actors, Indian cooking, Indian food, intergeneration, Lasses Halstrum, Michelin Star, racism, restaurant
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MOTHER AND SON Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)
Gentleman’s Agreement (1947) I was very surprised when I read Bradshaw’s article a few months ago. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/15/best-picture-oscar-winners-gentlemans-agreement-1947 This film about anti-semitism is not considered as one of Kazan’s best work and Bradshaw’s choice has been criticised. This is not about … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, Ageism, critics, documentary, Film Analysis, motherhood
Tagged actors, antisemitism, communication, family, film reviews, grandmother/grandson, HUAC, humour, interviews, lifestyle, media, mother/son relationship, reviews, tv, women
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SINCE OTAR LEFT (2003)
I decided at the end of the U3A year to retire from facilitating the Old Women in Films Group. I found that my energy diminished in sympathy with the attendance. In the meantime Ealing Oldies Network (EON see June’s … Continue reading
Make Mine Mink (1960) at the Ealing Oldies Network meeting.
I was asked by the Ealing Oldies Network to show them a film and lead the following discussion. EON is a friendship group of old people who meet locally every Monday. It is self organised, people share their knowledge and … Continue reading
Posted in Ageing, Ageism, festivals
Tagged Ageing, Ageism, british comedies, film reception, group of old women, representation old woman
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WOMEN AND WAR FILMS.
Delighted by Lone Scherfig’s Their Finest (2016), and intrigued by Sue Harper’s 1996 description of Great Day (1940) as a masterpiece, I attended the BFI for the screening of GD and two ‘shorts ‘ in the British Women and WWII … Continue reading
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