Michelle, you have a distinguished body of work and we’ll explore that momentarily. But first, let’s hear about your documentary “Optics of Aging”, which will screen on August 10 at 3:30 p.m. at Providence Public Library as part of this summer’s Rhode Island International Film Festival. Congrats! Let’s kick off with an overview of “Optics of Aging.”
Michelle Le Brun: In “Optics of Aging,” stereotypes of ageism are dissolved and the beauty of aging is revealed through five elders who have shaped the culture and political landscape of Rhode Island and beyond. Their voices take flight against the backdrop of archival imagery that captures the vision of an earlier time of vast sociocultural change. As Linda Miller says in the beginning of the film; “You never know who you are sitting next to. They may have so much to give you.” The film subtly asks you to examine your own prejudices about aging.
In 2019 I was 61 years old and was becoming increasingly afraid of what might lay ahead in my elder years. I had many negative images in my mind about what it means to grow old, as many of us do. Images of decrepitude and rapidly decreasing health lingered in the back of my mind, not being able to get up the 41 stairs to my home, isolated. So, I started researching the realities around aging in this country and found the following:
According to the NIH in 2023 – “only 4.5 percent (about 1.5 million) of older adults live in nursing homes and 2 percent (1 million) in assisted living facilities. The majority of older adults (93.5 percent, or 33.4 million) live in the community.” (NIH 2023)
That was a surprise to me as I thought at the time everyone wound up living in assisted living and I feared my ability to afford it.
I also decided I wanted to find elders older than I and ask them about their lives and their elderhood. I began to ask around and found many thriving elders to interview. As it was 2019, just before the pandemic, I only wound up interviewing these 5 but I originally thought this could be a great series. We have so many unique and interesting elders here in RI. I found people through word-of-mouth, except Phil West whom I already knew from URI and Morris Nathanson as I had lived in one of his lofts when I first moved to RI from Los Angeles in 2005.
What I found in the interviews were people who were quick-witted, had incredible lives of contribution, were funny, and shared themselves with me openly. They also shared some of the struggles with aging, not the least of which is ageism and the ways we become invisible as we age. Representation matters and ageism is real.
“Ageism harms everyone – old and young. But often, it is so widespread and accepted – in our attitudes and in policies, laws and institutions – that we do not even recognize its detrimental effect on our dignity and rights”, said Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (World Health Organization)
We’ve had a number of screenings since the film premiered in October of 2024 and each one has been packed to capacity, some with wait lists as well. The discussions after have been very rich as we look into the dynamics of ageism, including internalized ageism. There are many studies one can find that illustrate the impact of internalized ageism on both mental and physical well-being as we age. As we continue to work on the areas of society where ageism lingers, we can also begin to address our own internalized ageism by looking into our language. For example, using the word “elder” instead of “elderly”. “Elder” connotes dignity, respect, and gravitas. “Elderly” connotes decrepitude. There are many more examples. We begin to unpack in the discussions after screenings.
So far, “Optics of Aging” has been nominated for a composing award at the Montreal Independent Film Festival and won a Spotlight Award at the Block Island Film Festival.
Thanks. The film is built around the stories of five elders. Can you tell us a bit about each of them?
Le Brun: Aly Stallman (90 years young when he died in 2019) entrepreneur and Ironman triathlete in his 50s, also Founder and President of Ocean State Marathon in Newport, RI. Linda and Aly have known each other all of their adult lives, but only in their 90s did the stars align for them to come together to care for each other. In the feature film, Aly has just told his doctors that he wants no more treatments. He shares his feelings about his imminent death with grace and poignancy.
Linda Miller (90 years young when interviewed in 2019), the woman behind Lippett Hill Tutorial (now Inspiring Minds) who alleviated the stressors of 1960s desegregation in Providence schools. Linda grew up in a family of privilege that also taught her to give back to others. These values have guided her life from education reformer to psychotherapist, which she is still doing today. Her wisdom about aging shines through her ever-present humor.
Mildred Nichols (90 years young when interviewed in 2019), beloved community leader, was a founding member of the RI Women’s Political Caucus, served on the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education and was Director of Career Counseling Service at the Rhode Island Department of Education, where she was instrumental in providing outreach to women known as “displaced” homemakers. Mildred is also a descendant of Joseph Trammel. She shares with us his freedom papers and her moving gratitude.
Morris Nathanson (95 years young when he died in 2022) who co-designed De Pasquale Square in Providence, the first Dunkin’ Donuts, and was one of the founding designers for Trinity Repertory Theater. He has shaped the sights and sounds of Providence and abroad through his landmark architectural restaurant designs. The warmth of the community growing up in Pawtucket has shaped his entire life.
Phil West (77 years young when interviewed in 2019), Long-time state director of Common Cause and author of Secrets and Scandals: Reforming Rhode Island 1986-2006. The Providence Journal dubbed him “The Godfather of Political Reform in Rhode Island.” The key to his pursuit of ethical government over the decades was establishing a Separation of Powers amendment in the Rhode Island Constitution. Phil’s quiet passion for justice resonates deeply.
Let’s learn more about you and your work. Please give us a summary of your background and what inspired you to become a filmmaker.
Le Brun: I’ve had a few careers in my long life and shooting video has been a part of all of them. From being a dance/movement therapist in the 80s as well as a performance artist, to shooting my first film, “Death: A Love Story”, to making mission/vision short documentaries for the city of Providence, Pawtucket, and local artists, I’ve been shooting a long time. It was after my husband died, who had been a producer in Hollywood and chair of Boston University’s Communications & Film department, that I decided to make a film about his diagnosis of primary liver cancer, our journey through the medical world, and untimely, his ability to share his passing in the most extraordinary way. His death was a gift and everyone around me at that time in LA encouraged me to tell the story.
In 1997, you founded Harken Productions. Tell us about Harken.
Le Brun: Harken Productions’ mission is to produce compelling films that challenge our assumptions about life and awaken our passion for truth. I started Harken when I made “Death: A Love Story.”
“Death: A Love Story” received rave critical reviews, including from Variety and The Boston Globe, and won many awards, among them the Insight Award for Best Feature Documentary at Santa Barbara FF. A synopsis, please.
Le Brun: “Death: A Love Story” synopsis:
“Death: A Love Story” is a compelling, first-person documentary that confronts our fears of the greatest unknown and reveals the moment-to-moment grace possible at the end of a life. After many years of being in a variety of kinds of distribution, I made the film freely available. You can find it here.
As a fellow filmmaker, I understand the challenges and rewards of the craft. Can you elaborate on them, please?
Le Brun: The primary challenge for documentaries these days is funding. There are so many talented people here in RI, it is easy to put together a strong production team but generating the money to pay them all is a challenge.
Lastly, what’s on the horizon for Michelle Le Brun?
Le Brun: We are just starting to put together the elements for a national PBS run and will soon have sponsorship opportunities for businesses that would benefit from national exposure by having their name at the beginning of all broadcasts of the film.
Editor’s note: This interview was conducted by email.
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