title: Heroes of their own stories: expressions of aging in international cinema.
abstract: This study of 14 international feature-length films (1988- 2003) is aimed at providing gerontologists with models of successful aging that portray elders as being valued within the context of community. Elders serve as role models and mentors for the young, and they resolve mid-life crises for the middle-aged. Elders complete their life's work in the context of community (aging in place), where they struggle to maintain abiding values and draws others to the community. The study concludes with examples of key visual metaphors utilized at the endings of selected films that affirm the role of elders as catalysts for change for the young, the middle-aged, and even their communities.
authors.affiliation: Film & the Arts, The University of Minnesota, 258 Appleby Hall, 28 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. yahnke001@umn.edu
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Yahnke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D003469:Culture; D005008:Ethnopsychology / Q000193:education*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008611:Mentors; D009040:Motion Pictures; D012380:Role; D012938:Social Perception; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology