The Sum Total of Our Memory: Facing Alzheimer's Together is a documentary film released in 2014, directed by Barbara Klutinis, and produced by Klutinis and Leslie D. Farrell. The film is a heart-wrenching portrayal of the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease on individuals and their families, and a powerful call to action for dementia awareness and research.
The film features interviews with patients and their families, doctors, caregivers, and researchers. Amongst them are Adam Boxer, a neurologist at the Memory and Aging Center in San Francisco, Catherine Madison, a woman diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in her 50s, and Bruce Miller, the director of the Memory and Aging Center. The narrative follows these individuals as they navigate the complex web of emotions and practicalities associated with Alzheimer's.
The Sum Total of Our Memory highlights the unique perspective of each interviewee as they describe their struggles with Alzheimer's. Catherine Madison recounts her experience of gradually losing her cognitive abilities and the impact it had on her relationship with her spouse and children. Adam Boxer provides insight into the neurological factors that cause the disease, as well as the efforts of the medical community to combat the illness. Bruce Miller describes his decades-long career dedicated to studying Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, including his insights into the latest research and treatment options.
The film also explores the broader societal implications of Alzheimer's, such as the economic burden that it places on families and healthcare systems, as well as the need for increased funding for research into the disease. The documentary does an excellent job of explaining complicated scientific concepts in a comprehensible way, making it accessible to a broad audience.
Throughout the film, Klutinis integrates beautiful and poignant footage of people living with Alzheimer's and their families, such as images of Catherine Madison with her young children, to highlight the sacrifices made by all parties involved. The documentary captures the emotional turmoil that family members and friends experience when they witness the disease's progression in their loved one. The intimate portrayal of these complex relationships gives The Sum Total of Our Memory a sense of authenticity and poignancy.
Ultimately, the message of The Sum Total of Our Memory: Facing Alzheimer's Together is one of hope and perseverance. The documentary makes the case that if we come together as a society to support those suffering from Alzheimer's, we can make significant progress in understanding and combating this debilitating disease.
In summary, The Sum Total of Our Memory: Facing Alzheimer's Together is a powerful and emotional documentary that portrays the trauma and complexity of Alzheimer's in a humanizing way. The interviews with patients, doctors, and caregivers provide a well-rounded perspective of the disease, making it accessible to a broad audience. The overarching message of the documentary calls for increased awareness, funding, and scientific research into Alzheimer's, as well as unity in support of those living with the disease.
The Sum Total of Our Memory: Facing Alzheimer's Together is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 57 minutes.
