What is Dancing Home, and how did it come to be?
I have written, produced, and starred in a short film, Dancing Home (opposite Emmy Award winner Max Gail), the story of which centers on a father/daughter relationship as the father is slipping into dementia.
The daughter grapples with how to help her father see that he shouldn’t be living alone while allowing him the dignity of his autonomy. The film reveals the secret dreams each of them had and stands as an inspiration to follow your dreams, no matter how late in life.
The story is actually hopeful, and both father and daughter heal their relationship with each other and themselves while creating a better life by the end of the film. I hope that my film raises awareness, touches hearts, and shows a positive possibility in an otherwise challenging situation.
I have witnessed many of my friends/family dealing with this dilemma of taking care of an elderly parent, and thus how challenging it is for both the caregiver and the person affected by dementia. With dementia becoming more and more prevalent, awareness and support are desperately needed.
What initially inspired you to grapple with dementia?
Dance is a big part of my story and my characters’ story. I love it and music, and I know these things can provide support and connect with those who have dementia.
With so many people affected, be they those living with dementia or their caregivers and loved ones, I wanted to share ways I know to handle it with love, care, and patience.
I also know how challenging it is for caregivers, and the copious support that caregivers need as they are overworked, underappreciated, and building their skills as they need them.
Learning joyful ways to stay in connection with those who have dementia will help everyone in the family.
How has working on dementia-related art changed you?
When I started working on my film, Dancing Home, I understood that this topic was an important one to explore. Since then, I have become more educated on how the tools of dance, song and music can help those with dementia. And I had the opportunity to join one of the composers for the film, JD Sebastian, who plays music at senior centers for those with dementia, as a singer.
Films can be powerful and poetic while touching hearts and educating.
Dancing Home is also a proof-of-concept for a pilot for a TV series. I have always loved family dramas, and my dream has been to combine my skills as an actress and dancer to put that on screen.
Dancing Home the series will explore 3 generations of a family, with the centerpiece being a middle-aged woman grappling with her own life path alongside caring for her elderly parent and reigniting her second act. This action happens alongside a group of young dancers passionate about expressing themselves through dance while navigating the challenges we are facing in our world today. A dance studio will serve as a center stage and literally be a safe haven for youth to feel safe and express themselves and to pursue their dreams.
How has Dancing Home been received?
Dancing Home is in post-production, with a limited audience having seen the film. Those who have seen it have provided positive feedback. My reviewers include other filmmakers, writers and producers, all of whom felt the authenticity in the depiction of a complex father/daughter relationship, particularly around the effects of dementia, and how we navigate this chapter of life.
My hope for the film is to give those living with dementia and their caregivers some support and comfort.
This work is dedicated to: My dear friend, Lee K Bohlen, and her father, Arne C Johnson, who is 93 and rather quickly slipped into dementia. Lee has been his primary caregiver ever since. Arne’s bio includes serving in the US Navy, having a 28-year career serving on nuclear power submarines.
This work is also dedicated to all of those who are dealing with a loved one who is struggling with mental decline and to my own father, who I am blessed to still have at 92 years old.
Find more information on Dancing Home: a Short Film on IMDb and Facebook, on Pamela Heffler on Facebook and Instagram.
