Tag Archives: Ageing

Finding Your Feet (2018)

Posted on January 27, 2019 by rinaross

Two films about old people attracted my attention this week: Finding Your Feet (2018) and Eternity And A Day (1998). I had seen the latter 19-20 years ago but I only remembered the two characters : an old man and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, family, FILM RECEPTION, love, sisters, women's friendships | Tagged (Imelda Staunton, actors, affair, Ageing, ageing sisters, Ageism, british comedies, Celia Imrie, David Hayman, death, family, film reception, Joanna Lumley, lifestyle, marriage break up, old people dancing, reviews, Timothy Spall | Leave a comment

EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN (1994) film genres…

Posted on November 20, 2018 by rinaross

My Father was the centre of the family, and everybody tried to please him. My Mother loves me and everything goes well. I have no conflict whith her, so that’s not dramatic. Ang Lee Why was I not offended by … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Ang Lee, classic film, fable, food, grief, love, melodrama, three generations of women, women's friendships | Tagged Ageing, Ageism, daughter, death, family, father/daughter relationships, film reception, FOOD CHINESE, grandmother, grief, grotesque old woman in film, humour, intergeneration, old woman, representation old woman, students and teacher | 2 Comments

EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN (1994) at EON

Posted on November 10, 2018 by rinaross

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) at EON I mentioned in this blog that I would not concentrate any more on the representation of old women in films but widen my interest and abandon the time-consuming film analysis approach. After … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, audience responses, death, family, FILM RECEPTION, food, intergenerational relationships, melodrama | Tagged Ageing, Ang Lee, carer, cooking, eating rituals, family, father daughters relationships, film reception, food, grandmother, grotesque old woman in film, humour, intergeneration, lifestyle, master chef, memories, widower | Leave a comment

FACES PLACES (VISAGES VILLAGES) (2017)

Posted on September 24, 2018 by rinaross

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 | 1 Comment

THE STRAIGHT STORY at ‘EON’ AND EDIE

Posted on June 7, 2018 by rinaross

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 | Leave a comment

EALING OLDIES NETWORK FILM SESSION

Posted on March 27, 2018 by rinaross

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 | Leave a comment

AQUARIUS (2016) partial analysis

Posted on November 25, 2017 by rinaross

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 | Leave a comment

Make Mine Mink (1960) at the Ealing Oldies Network meeting.

Posted on June 6, 2017 by rinaross

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 | Leave a comment

Caramel (2007)

Posted on December 23, 2016 by rinaross

The film group film this month was Caramel. I had presented it in 2011 at the Lexi cinema to a general audience at the U3A matinée. They loved the film. On release in 2007 the critics and reviewers were in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, chick flick, Film Analysis, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged Ageing, arabic, beauty salon, Beirut, Christian, communication, dementia, family, friendship, hair, humour, lebanon, lesbian, lifestyle, looks, lover, Moslem, periods, sisterhood, virginity, waxing, wedding, women | 1 Comment

A Korean film at the London Film Festival

Posted on October 9, 2016 by rinaross

This is just a signpost for the Korean film The Bachus Lady (2016) directed by E J-yong and featuring Youn Yuh-jung (aged 69) . I managed to catch it at the ICA the first day of the London Film Festival. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing | Tagged Ageing, assisted death, assisted suicide], death, intergeneration | Leave a comment

AGEISM IN HOLLYWOOD.

Posted on October 2, 2016 by rinaross

I was appalled to read in the Guardian 28/09/16 Short Cuts, under the title Is this a cure for ageist casting disasters?. “a landmark law, effective from next year, in California only, that permits actors to request the removal of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Ageism, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged actor's date of birth, actors, Ageing, ageing actors male and female, Ageism, film reception, film the guardian, Lilian Gish, looks, media, Patrick Kennedy, representation old woman | Leave a comment

PAULINE AND PAULETTE (2001) film group responses

Posted on October 1, 2016 by rinaross

The Brent U3A film group looking at the representation of old women met again for the first session of the academic year. I was sad to note that there were no members of the original group alive anymore. But I … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, care, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged actors, Ageing, care and love, care home, communication, disablement, empathy, family, flowers, guilt, image, inheritance, music, operetta, sisters, women | 1 Comment

THE RARE AND RIDICULE. Ageism in Hollywood popular films.

Posted on September 26, 2016 by rinaross

The online Guardian of 14 Sept, headlined “Older characters underrepresentated and ridiculed in Hollywood”. Under a close-up of Helen Mirren’s face and neck unretouched showing her lines and wrinkles the article proceeds to report: …research conducted by the Media, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Ageism, critics, Film Analysis, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged 100 top grossing films 2015, Ageing, Ageism, best exotic marigold hotel, ethnic and sexual orientation of senior characters, film reception, gender, Hollywood, media, old people representation, popular films, senior characters | Leave a comment

FEMINISM, AGEING, AND FILMS

Posted on August 31, 2016 by rinaross

It is bizarre at the age of 81 to have a feeling of deja vu about the experience of seeing a film. And this is the only way I can explain my profound distaste of Chronic. I have tried to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, care | Tagged Ageing, assisted suicide], carer, caring, death, end of life care, family, feminism, grief, incontinence, old woman, voyeuristic style | Leave a comment

Chronic: palliative care or a man’s portrait?

Posted on July 29, 2016 by rinaross

Holidays. Time to reflect on some questions I asked myself after a few viewings. In my post about Wrinkles I wrote: “But one cannot help being intrigued by the predominantly male atmosphere of the film when it is common knowledge that … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, animation, critics | Tagged Ageing, Ageism, amour, assisted suicide], carer, caring, death, end of life care, family, film reception, intergeneration, intimate care, Naked bodies, palliative care, sexual abuse by carer | 3 Comments

A WOMAN’S TALE : an overview

Posted on July 25, 2016 by rinaross

I have written about Paul Cox’s Innocence (2000) three years ago but I have wanted to consider this great director’s A Woman’s Tale ( 1991) for a very long time. In June this year Paul Cox died at the age … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Film Analysis | Tagged Ageing, carer, caring, death, dying, dying at home, friendship, loneliness, metaphors, mother, mother and son, old man, old woman, Paul Cox, social contacts, terminal cancer, war trauma | 2 Comments

MISS ROBIN HOOD (1952)

Posted on June 4, 2016 by rinaross

Report by Rita of the film group meeting on June 3rd. There were 8 of us at the session. General discussion Overall, the women in the group felt the film was not very enjoyable and engaging. We could see that … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Ageism | Tagged 60 years actor, Ageing, Ageism, Agewise., british comedies, grotesque old woman in film, intergeneration, Margaret Rutherford, wrinkles | Leave a comment

TATIE DANIELLE (1990)

Posted on May 12, 2016 by rinaross

This is the third group of older women who viewed and discussed the film apart from the 101 U3A members (see previous post in 2005 and resources for the BFI Guide to Older Women in Film). I was surprised again … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Ageism, critics, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged abuse of older people, Ageing, Ageism, black comedy, carer, family, film reception, grandmother, grotesque old woman in film, old people incontinence, representation old woman | Leave a comment

CHRONIC (2015)

Posted on March 11, 2016 by rinaross

This is not about the representation of old women in feature films but about the questions I ask myself – a woman aged 81 – in response to Chronic. My first reaction was ” yet another male carer! Why?” When … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing | Tagged Ageing, amour, assisted suicide], carer, chronic, death, documentary, dying at home, end of life caring, family carer, film reception, Franco, grandmother, male carer | Leave a comment

The Whales of August 3 .

Posted on March 5, 2016 by rinaross

My 4th viewing with a group. Only one of the 7 women present had seen the film before and her comment was very interesting. The first time was at the BFI/U3A study day event 10 years ago. I found it … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged Ageing, Bette Davis, blindness, death, film reception, friendship, grief, Lillian Gish, Lindsay Anderson, memories, representation old woman, sisters, white hair | 1 Comment

Ballad of Narayama (1958)

Posted on February 8, 2016 by rinaross

I had written about this film exactly three years ago and seeing it again proved to be as fascinating. I had shown it to the film group of the time but did not record responses. The membership of the film group … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing | Tagged Ageing, assisted suicide], daughter-in-law, death, family, film reception, grandmother, grief, intergeneration, japanese film, looks, mother, mother and son, narayama, old woman, representation old woman, sons and mothers | Leave a comment

LA VIEILLE FEMME INDIGNE (1965)

Posted on December 23, 2015 by rinaross

Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are. Bertolt Brecht. When I decided to look at the representation of the old woman in films for my MA in 1997 I thought I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Film Analysis | Tagged age and society, Ageing, Ageism, Allio, Bertolt Brecht, change, death, family, friendship, grandmother, grief, housewife, intergeneration, mother and son, motherhood, old woman, realism, representation old woman, sons and mothers, widow, wrinkles | Leave a comment

The Ladykillers (1955) revisited

Posted on December 5, 2015 by rinaross

We were only 6 members aged between 58 and 81 to see The Ladykillers. A good discussion followed the viewing. Subjects : stereotyping, the ambiguity of Mrs.Wilberforce’s character, her clothes, the word irritating was often voiced, the difficulty of agreeing on slapstick humour. Generally I … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Ageism, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged Ageing, Ageism, british comedies, ealing comedy, film reception, group of old women, old woman clothes, slapstick | 5 Comments

Mia Madre (2015)

Posted on November 1, 2015 by rinaross

I saw Nanni Moretti’s film in a tiny cinema and thought it deserved much better exposure. The film is subtle, gentle and deep. It is impossible not to think that it is the product of the director’s personal experience. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing | Tagged Ageing, amour, death, fiction, film director, grandmother, real life | Leave a comment

London Film Festival 2015

Posted on October 17, 2015 by rinaross

I saw two films featuring an old woman at the Festival this year: Grandma (2015 ) ticked all the boxes : Lily Tomlin, lesbian relationship, angry grandmother, women’s liberation, the 70s, odd characters, good granddaughter/grandmother relationship , difficult one with daughter, teenager … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, festivals, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged abortion, addiction, Ageing, anger, Betty Friedan, daughter, de Beauvoir, family, feminism, grandmother, intergeneration, Lily Tomlin, london film festival 2015, mother, mother/daughter, oldwoman/teenager, pregnancy, Thanksgving | Leave a comment

The Short Hot Flush Film Festival

Posted on October 12, 2015 by rinaross

I deviate again from the focus of Feature Films to post the report of Jane, member of Brent U3A Older Woman in Film Group. The Short Hot Flush Film Festival – Brighton – October 3rd Two women came up … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Conferences and comments, documentary | Tagged Ageing, film festival, representation old woman, The Short Hot Flush Film Festival, Women Film Festival | 2 Comments

IRIS – THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK

Posted on August 17, 2015 by rinaross

I have no special penchant for documentaries, but I was persuaded by the critics to see Iris (2015) at the NFT (National Film Theatre). It was shown at the Studio screen, where, if short of stature, your viewing is obscured by … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, documentary | Tagged advanced style, Ageing, Apfel, consumerism, costume jewellery, couture, documentary, fabulous fashionistas, fashion, frailty, looks, Maysles, media, pain and old age, possesions, representation old woman | 2 Comments

THE WINTER GUEST (film reception)

Posted on June 16, 2015 by rinaross

Ever since I compared film critics’ and a group of older women’s views of Le Chat* I have been interested in the way people react to films. Why are some elements of the film not perceived, or registered and what is … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Ageism, Film Analysis, FILM RECEPTION | Tagged Ageing, Ageism, death, film reception, friendship, grief, grotesque old woman in film, intergeneration, mirror neurons and film, mother/daughter, representation old woman | 2 Comments

THE WINTER GUEST: PHYLLIDA LAW AND EMMA THOMPSON. On women friendships

Posted on May 23, 2015 by rinaross

In my previous post I noted that it might be rewarding to examine Mother Elspeth (Phyllida Law) and Daughter Frances’ (Emma Thompson) story in The Winter Guest. The task of tracing their narrative in this crazily edited puzzle was very … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Film Analysis | Tagged Ageing, anger, caring, daughter, death, editing, Emma Thompson, film reception, friendship, grief, jump cuts, mother, mother/daughter, Phyllida Law, script and cinematography, women friendships | Leave a comment

THE WINTER GUEST (1997) – FUNERALS.

Posted on April 28, 2015 by rinaross

At the age of 80 I find I am attending funerals quite often and at the last one it occurred to me how like a performance the rituals are.(see http://www.ageingageismdiary.wordpress.com). Funerals in films are very common. In thrillers, the detectives … Continue reading →

Posted in Ageing, Film Analysis | Tagged Ageing, burial, cinematography, close ups, complex narrative structure, consciousness of mortality], cremation, death, friendship, frozen sea, funeral as performance, funerals, grief, jump cuts, mother, mourning, pan, perception in films, winter location | Leave a comment