What is Leading and how did it come to be?
Leading, from KT Pictures/Hedy Films, is a feature film that showcases a man living with dementia who is grappling with the fact that he no longer can take care of himself on his own. Leading highlights the momentous highs the main character had throughout life, honors his successes and intelligence, brings attention to his daily wins, and takes the time to recall all the joy he experienced and will continue to experience when in the hands of professional, devoted, and loving caregivers.
The film came to be as our team, including producer Samantha Valletta, producer Brian Reilly, writer Simon Kienitz Kincade, and director Dillon Bentlage, grappled with themes of identity, growing old, and watching our loved ones grow even older. It was important for us to frame this disease not simply as a decline, but rather a changing of seasons.
If we allow ourselves to take the time to sit with our memories and our possessions and reflect on all that was and is still good, we can learn to close our chapters with a feeling of gratitude for all that was.
What initially inspired you to grapple with dementia?
When watching films about dementia, it is most likely the complete center of a story. Those living with the disease become a supporting character to the battle. It was important for us not to sugarcoat the struggle, but to amplify the affected person’s character and share stories from the enriching life he lived before the disease took hold. We wanted to show that dementia isn’t the end of one’s life, rather it’s an obstacle that can be lived with when surrounded by those who care about you and your success. There can be a beautiful softness in goodbye, and if we allow ourselves to take the time to sit with our memories and our possessions and reflect on all that was and is still good, we can learn to close our chapters with a feeling of gratitude for all that was.
Leading shares stories from the enriching life lived by the main character without making him or his loved ones secondary to the disease. Currently in post-production, the creators will be seeking a worldwide release for the film and will be planning a theatre tour, with post show audience Q&As.
How has working on dementia-related art changed you?
Our set became unexpectedly and deeply healing. On most days, a cast or crew member would find themselves holding back their tears during a take, touched by the material. Dementia (and aging in general) can bring about a profound sense of anticipatory grief, and on our set, we were all faced with just how finite our time on this earth truly is. This shared experience elevated our expectation for this piece of art, as we wanted to make sure this film provided the same moments of reflection and release for our audience, as it did for us while creating it.
How has the work been received?
Leading is in post-production, however, while on set, we learned that the film captured the lived experiences of many of our cast and crew members. Our producers were told more than once, that they remember their loved ones “saying the exact same thing,” as our character was saying in the script. We feel confident that our writing captured the truth of this disease, and honored the experiences of those that are forced to stand on the sidelines, while it feels as though their loved one is being taken from them slowly.
This work is dedicated to: Anyone going through this battle. You are more than your disease, you are you, and you will still be you till the end.
Find more from KT Pictures and Hedy Films on their websites.
