[Marxism] High-Spirited Old Leftists

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

(nota bene, this will be aired on PBS TV next month.)

NY Times, February 25, 2005
High-Spirited Old Leftists Who Refuse to Go Gently
By MANOHLA DARGIS

I hesitate to describe the pocket-size documentary "Sunset Story" as a gem
of a film. Lovingly directed by Laura Gabbert, it is certainly a gem, small
and, in its very modest way, perfect of its kind. But there is every reason
to believe that the film's subjects - an elderly twosome named Lucille and
Irja - would find the word gem overly precious, perhaps insulting. These
are women, after all, who regularly participate in protests and union
rallies, and whose home is adorned with a sign reading "Free Mumia," on
behalf of the death row celebrity Mumia Abu-Jamal.

The Mumia sign hangs off a metal railing overlooking the courtyard of a
residence called Sunset Hall, which advertises itself as "a nonprofit
retirement home for free-thinking elders." No kidding! Founded in Los
Angeles more than 80 years ago, Sunset Hall was established as a home for
religious liberals. As the filmmakers soon make apparent, however, the
current residents tend to lean rather more left. The complete works of
Lenin sit on the shelves of the home's common room and the residents are
more interested in current affairs than bingo and "Wheel of Fortune."
(Perhaps not unexpectedly, they do complain a lot about the food.)
Lucille's television is always tuned to CNN, and she keeps tabs on the
editorial pages of The New York Times.

A former social worker, Lucille Alpert arrived at Sunset Hall several years
ago, within two weeks of Irja Lloyd, a one-time teacher for the disabled.
It was a match made in progressive heaven. It was also a godsend for the
filmmakers, since half the battle in documentary is finding the right
subject and Lucille and Irja make not just worthy subjects but excellent
company.

The sharp-tongued Lucille, an irrepressible force with a voice and manner
reminiscent of the actress Ruth Gordon, is an ideal foil for the gentler
Irja, whose bad health and dependence on a wheelchair have yet to slow her
down. Each day, Lucille pushes Irja into a new adventure, the sharp taps of
her cane beating out an energetic rhythm. "Are we connected?" Irja asks.
"I'm with you," Lucille answers.

A mix of observed scenes and talking-head interviews punctuated by an
occasional off-camera question from the filmmakers ("Can we talk about
sex?" Answer: Yes and no), "Sunset Story" is, for the most part, a
miniature-scale portrait of two friends. But it is also a deeply affecting,
sometimes eye-opening look at what happens to some of the elderly. When
tucked out of sight and often mind, in convalescent homes and the
occasional spare bedroom, the elderly can be among our culture's most
invisible members. The residents of Sunset Hall are the sons and daughters
of activists and agitators; sometimes the residents fought for their
rightful place in the world, sometimes they fought on behalf of others.
They are not about to go gently into the night, an inspiring lesson for
those who will not be joining their demographic anytime soon.

Not that the world seems to care where they go. In one of the film's most
painfully pointed scenes, the residents gather outside the gates of the
home during a fire drill. The image of these frail men and women, many bent
over in wheelchairs, takes your breath away. It isn't only that many of
them look defenseless without the protection of the home; it is that they
look almost alien, like visitors from another planet, one called very old
age. As the residents wait to return inside, a parade of young
schoolchildren begins walking past the home, many staring openly. Ms.
Gabbert shows this fleeting intergenerational moment in slow motion, and
its poignancy is as stark as it is discomforting.

Because the filmmakers wanted to tell a personal story, they don't explore
the history of Sunset Hall in any depth. (It is worth noting that the
documentary, which plays in shortened form next month on PBS, is several
years old.) They don't mention that the home was established by the Women's
Alliance of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles and has, during times
of financial trouble, relied on good Samaritans like Pete Seeger and Barbra
Streisand. And I have qualms about some scenes with residents who are lost
in a cloud of dementia, which feel unnecessary. One of the strengths of
"Sunset Story" is that it introduces us to a pair of extraordinary women
who have kept their dignity and independence in a world that conspires
against them having either. The story of Lucille and Irja may break your
heart, but it will also make your day.

'Sunset Story'

Opens today in Manhattan.

Directed by Laura Gabbert; director of photography, Shana Hagan; edited by
William Haugse; music by Peter Golub; produced by Ms. Gabbert, Caroline
Libresco and Eden Wurmfeld; released by Vitagraph Films. At the Cinema
Village, 22 East 12th Street, Greenwich Village. Running time: 73 minutes.
This film is not rated.

WITH: Irja Lloyd, Lucille Alpert, and staff members and residents of Sunset
Hall.

Louis Proyect
Marxism list: www.marxmail.org


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