» Bill Cowell, Founder of The Buffalo Niagara
Film Festival is proud to announce a victorious
return for #2.
Bill pledges that this will be a spectacular 2nd year with large events and big
surprises to be talked about for years to come. Enjoyment to all, and to all
an enjoyable plight. See you soon.
They
Are Still There (www.eisenhowerunit.com) -
Saturday, March 31st, 3:55pm Downtown Buffalo/Theatre
District, Market Arcade Screen 2
Something
tragic yet wonderful is transpiring within
the Eisenhower unit, a hospital ward for
military veterans stricken with dementia.
One of the veterans is Marion. Marion is
ninety-three years old, nearly blind, and
suffers from severe dementia. From time to
time, God lowers the veil of dementia that
surrounds Marion. For a few precious moments,
he can tell hilarious stories, speak fluent
French, and reminisce about his World War
II combat experiences. Struggling alongside
Marion is my father, a disabled Korean War
veteran who has Alzheimer's disease. By focusing
on Marion and my father, this documentary
declares the spirit of loved ones with dementia
still survives, and they still deserve our
love.
DIRECTOR
STATEMENT
Today's video editing software technology now allows one person to make a film
that a generation ago was possible only for a major studio. The challenge for
anyone, however, continues to be telling compelling stories that will lift audiences
to a higher plane of living. I believe this film contains such a story.
Sanctity of life has become an important topic, and "They Are Still There" addresses
this issue versus the tragedy of dementia. Dementia is the result of over three
hundred diseases and ailments, some treatable and some not. It is not just an
elderly person's affliction any longer. Pick's disease is emerging as a significant
cause of dementia, and it strikes between the ages of 20 and 80.
We must not give up on loved ones who are demented. We must continue to love
them, and err on the side of optimism in our hope of what they can understand
and feel. I trust this documentary will encourage such optimism and love.
The spirit of "They Are Still There" is summarized in the music video segment
that follows the body of the film: "Lead Me To Your Light." The song accompanying
the segment is an original work written by Gustavo Renovalez and the director,
and performed by Gustavo Renovalez. Gustavo also composed and performed two guitar
instrumentals for the film.
