ShareThisAt 40, Sheila Malkind realized that 70-year-olds could teach her a thing or two. So she began questioning folks she worked with at Chicago's Department on Aging.
"I'd ask what advice they would give me about aging well," Malkind said. "They all told me: Live out your dreams."
And so she has. Now 70 and settled in San Francisco, Malkind -- a photographer, writer, dancer, mother, speaker and film buff -- is the curator of the first International Film Festival on Aging, opening this week in the Bay Area.
Fresh views of later life couldn't be timelier. The global population is graying so rapidly that by 2150, according to a recent U.N. study, 1 in every 3 people will be 60 or older.
"There are so many misperceptions of aging that even older people accept," Malkind said recently over tea in her home. "Native Americans call their elders 'wisdom keepers.' It would be nice if we believed that."
The three-day festival, presented by the nonprofit Pacific Institute and AgeSong Senior Communities, offers a kind of corrective. Among the films are documentaries on romance and relationships, friendship and caregiving.
"These are very honest films about trying to find balance," Malkind said.
In "The Sandwich Generation," Julie Winokur tells the story of moving, with her young family, from California to New Jersey so her father can live with them.
"Paradise" is a wry portrait of a long-married Swedish couple during a visit to their rustic, waterfront summer home.
"Gotta Dance" features the halftime performances of the senior-citizen hip-hop dance team of the NBA's New Jersey Nets. And in "88 Years in the Closet," a lesbian finally comes out, to her joy.
"These films give us new models of aging," said Nader Shabahangi, CEO of the Pacific Institute and AgeSong. "They are models that are not captured by mainstream ideas about 'healthy aging' or 'successful aging.' After all, everyone has their own life path."
"Tillie Olsen: A Heart in Action," an homage to the activist author by Annie Hershey, includes footage from Olsen's readings and interviews with Gloria Steinem, Alice Walker and others.
"Sweet Old Song" unspools the life story of singular African-American musician Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong through the lens of his longtime romantic relationship with Barbara Ward, an artist 30 years his junior.
If the films vary in mood and tone, together they show that personal growth and adventure -- from spiritual vision quests to friendship and romance -- should not be relegated to the young.
"People make their lives meaningful in many ways," Malkind said, adding her mantra: "As long as we're alive, why not take risks? Why not try new things?"
The International Film Festival on Aging is scheduled for Friday through Sunday at theaters in San Francisco and Emeryville. For more information, visit www.filmfestonaging.org or www.legacyfilms.com.
(E-mail Heidi Benson at hbenson(at)sfchronicle.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Must credit the San Francisco Chronicle
Tiffany and Co
Favorite Youth Collection ladydaan want to know your puppy lover tiffany? Now you have a good chance. A tiffany & co or earrings to make her feel special how much you care. Now, it has spread to many countries, you can buy beautiful jewelry at these shops. But if you do not like shopping, you can also buy a Tiffany and Co from website. From jewelry is believed that the end-point of true religion clothing, which could cause one of the personalities and characters with the tiffany jewellery. Maybe you are obsessed with jewelry shops, but have you ever thought that if you want to buy Tiffany Co is really suitable for your girlfriend? They do not become more attractive girlfriend? I do not mean that the options are not great, but the point is that does the Tiffany and Co Rings match the shape of the face of his girlfriend and style ghd hair straighteners? Entrance fees according to the following advice with the Tiffany and Co Bracelets. Some tips on choosing and matching jewelry stores are the following. Hope to help! If your girlfriend likes luxury, classic design Diamond will be the best option. If your girlfriend low life, sterling silver or gold can be your best option. To highlight the effect of Tiffany Bracelets, jewelry, make sure they go well with the skin of his girlfriend, age, clothing, etc. Rule of thumb: Tiffany and Tiffany Rings must be uncommon in the shape of your face, but can not be totally opposite at the same time.
re:
Our skin changes with age and we have different skin type. I found this site www.fastppt.org that gives tips about aging and skin care there are things you can do to help your skin glow and protect it.