Culture and Entertainment Resources
Check out this page updated by AARP for their recommendations of movies that represent older adults in realistic ways.
“We see a future where talented people of all ages work together to accurately represent age as a natural part of life. We believe that age inclusion is not just about fighting ageism against older people; it’s about fighting any age-based exclusion. We believe that if you are talented, age should never be a factor. We educate and empower creatives to sustain productivity and employability through programs that support craft, career, and growth. We form partnerships and alliances with organizations within the media to bring about real and impactful social change to age inclusion.”
Geena Davis Institute: Women Over 50: The Right to be Seen on Screen
“For this report, the NextFifty Initiative collaborated with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to survey Americans’ attitudes about representations of older adults and analyze representations of women 50+ in film and television. This comprehensive study systematically examines how gender-based representation intersects with age-based representation in the minds of media consumers and in American entertainment media. The findings from our survey show that representations of men and women 50+ are out of line with consumer demand – viewers of all ages are hungry for more balanced, diverse, and aspirational portrayals of older men and women.”
Lives Well Lived celebrates the incredible wit and wisdom of people aged 75–100, who reveal their secrets for living a meaningful life. Encompassing 3,000 years of collective life experience, diverse people share life lessons about perseverance, the human spirit, and staying positive in the midst of life’s greatest challenges. Their stories will make you laugh, perhaps cry, but mostly inspire you. (Changing the Narrative screened this film in May 2023 and hosted a live interview with the director, Sky Bergman.)
Movies About Aging and Elderhood
Movies About Aging and Elderhood is a film review website that creates awareness of ageism, and promotes aging as a natural continuum of life. You can check out recommendations and reviews on their website. You can also learn about their work and meet the reviewers in this interview.
The 90s Club (trailer) (Amazon Prime)
Multiple people in their nineties share their stories about how they’ve found meaning and experienced their long lives.
From the description of the trailer: “A documentary showcasing the vibrant wisdom and life lessons of a dozen diverse individuals between the ages of 90- to 99-years-old. Through the touching and open stories shared by the “cast” of “The 90s Club” (including beloved actor Dick Van Dyke), we can gain some perspective for our own lives as we grow older.”