Six Films You Ought to Watch

As I wrote in my post last week about the MEA Film Fest, I haven’t been so excited about a new project in years. With 60 films being screened in December, I’ve enjoyed watching a lot of movies lately. In today’s post, I wanted to profile six films with a midlife flavor that you should keep an eye on, only two of which are available for streaming. All of these will be screened at our festival in Santa Fe. 

Let’s start with the two that are streaming (on Amazon and elsewhere):

1. I’ll Push You. This film came out eight years ago, but never got a lot of attention. It’s a heartfelt documentary that follows lifelong, midlife best friends Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray as they embark on an extraordinary journey along the 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. The challenge is heightened by the fact that Justin lives life from a wheelchair due to a degenerative neuromuscular disease, making the trek seemingly impossible. This film is a testament to the power of friendship, perseverance, faith, human connection and the kindness of strangers. It is a heavy, inspiring dose of moral beauty. Fortunately, we’ll have Justin and Patrick videoing in for the festival, but you can watch this at home.
2. The Last Ecstatic Days. Ethan Sisser, a young man in early midlife with terminal brain cancer, sits alone in his hospital room. When he starts livestreaming his death journey on social media, thousands of people around the world join to celebrate his courage. Still, Ethan envisions more – to teach the world how to die without fear. To do that, he needs to film his death. Honoring Ethan’s wish, his doctor Aditi Sethi transports him to an idyllic house in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. What unfolds next is a story rarely glimpsed: how a community of strangers helps a young man die with grace. A sensory immersion into leaving the body, “The Last Ecstatic Days” reveals a man who will not let us forget him – even after he’s taken his final breath. We will have Contributing Producer Clara Hendon at the festival. 
3. Ramona at Midlife. This is our Opening Night film because the film is solidly-focused on the challenges we deal with in midlife. Working mom and former Literary It-Girl, Ramona, learns her life is the subject of a filmmaker’s newest project. A soulful and delightful exploration of midlife, shifting identities, reckonings, and one woman’s refusal to fade into the background, even if that’s what society expects. There’s a moment where Ramona says “I don’t know how to reconcile who I used to be with who I am now” and her friend says, “Well, I think that’s the question of midlife.” Boom. Entertaining, relatable, and a lot of fun! The filmmaker Brooke Berman and the lead actress Yvonne Woods will be at our Film Fest in December.
4. Your Roots are Showing and Good Men. We present two fantastic films back-to-back that have barely been seen by the general public, both focused on gender in midlife. First-time director Ilise Harris has created a compelling documentary that delves into the global movement of women embracing their natural gray hair. The film explores how this choice challenges traditional beauty standards and promotes self-acceptance. “Good Men” is a poignant documentary that embarks on a personal and cinematic exploration of modern masculinity. Through 50+ intimate interviews, filmmaker Bobby Roth’s film delves into themes of vulnerability, regret, and the evolving definitions of what it means to be a “good man” in today’s world. Both filmmakers will be in Santa Fe. 
5. Before We Forget. I watched this film twice within three days because it is one of the most poignant films I’ve ever watched about how longing and unrequited love early in life can be an impediment to finding love in midlife. Executive produced by the late Norman Lear, this debut feature by well-known actor Juan Pablo Di Pace and his lifelong friend Andres Pepe Estrada follows filmmaker Matias as he struggles to finish editing a movie that was inspired by his elusive first love—a Swedish boy named Alexander—whom he met at a boarding school in 1997. Tenderness and fascination define their strong friendship, which is short-lived when Alexander is suddenly expelled, leaving young Matias with a story of undeclared emotions…even 25 years later. What’s beautiful about this story is that it’s Juan Pablo’s personal story from adolescence. You can feel his soulful fingerprints all over the film. Juan Pablo is joining us in Santa Fe. 

I’ve just profiled 10% of the films that we’ll be screening in Santa Fe. If you’re not joining us, fortunately, two of these can be watched at home. We’ve just announced a special Commuter Pass for those who want to experience all the festival has to offer – 60 films, Q&A and conversations with 50+ filmmakers, 20 gourmet meals, and all kinds of MEA programming – for just $2,500 per person with the only thing not offered with this Pass being overnight accommodations on the Ranch. 

-Chip