Filmmaker Statement

Growing up, I was very close to my grandmother. I’ve always admired the wisdom and humor of my elders, and she instilled in me a profound appreciation for their company. Unlike the prevalent notion that aging is negative, my perspective on growing old — very old — was different. When I emigrated to Canada from Brazil in 2010, I was no longer in regular contact with the seniors I loved so much. Soon after, I decided to make a documentary exploring aging and the experiences of women. A friend of mine, who used to teach fitness courses at a retirement home, introduced me to Madeleine. It was love at first sight. I cannot explain how we could feel so close to each other despite our substantial differences in age and backgrounds.