Documentary maker’s pride as dementia film picks up awards

“I feel immensely privileged to have had the opportunity to have spent time with such interesting and inspiring people.”

The documentary has won the Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Rhode Island Film Festival in the United States in a category recognising films which “reflect the Jewish experience”.

Ms Kaye also won the Pears Short Film award at the UK Jewish Film Festival earlier this year.

She said: “There are not many films about dementia made from the perspective of the sufferers themselves and I wanted to make something that could try and lift the stigma surrounding the illness.

“My purpose was to try and give a sense of not only who these people once were but who they remain, despite the illness.”

Singing for the Mind, which has about 30 members, is run by volunteers to support those suffering from dementia. Although held in a synagogue, the group is non-denominational.

Ms Kaye, who is Jewish, praised the group’s work and said she was honoured to “have experienced first-hand the power music can have in bringing people back to themselves.”

 

To watch the film visit: 
www.lucykaye.com