A selection of ten acclaimed motion pictures highlighting the life experiences of people afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease will be screened next week at Ajijic’s Cinemas del Lago, Plaza Bugambilias.
The film festival has been put together by Enlazando Recuredos, a newly formed lakeside non-profit that stands out as Jalisco’s very first advocacy group in support of Alzheimer’s patients, their families and caregivers.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys memory and causes irreversible deterioration of thinking, language and motor skills. In most cases, symptoms first appear as victims enter their mid-60s. As the neurodegenerative ailment progresses, the patient commonly suffers disorientation, mood swings, and behavioral issues. Recent statistics show as many as 35 million people worldwide diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Enlazando Recuerdos (Linking Memories) director Mary Carmen Galán laments that Alzheimer’s is still poorly understood and recognized among Mexico’s population. The nation remains deficient in diagnostic protocols, therapeutic services and professional caregivers, she says. The new organization aims to fill these gaps for Mexican and expat residents of the Lake Chapala area.
In collaboration with neurosurgeon Gabriel Varela, Galán is the in process of setting up a training program for specialized caregivers to be certified by the University of Guadalajara, with a launch date projected for early next year. She is also working toward the opening of a local center that will offer day-care and counseling for Alzheimer’s patients and their families.
For further information contact Galán at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 765-6666 or 33-3129-5189.
Film Fest bill
The film festival program will run Monday through Friday of next week, with two different feature-length movies to shown daily, at 10 a.m. and noon. Admission is a 60-peso donation to Enlazando Recuerdos per person. Eight of the movies will be screened in English with Spanish subtitles. Titles and lead actors are listed in chronological order as follows:
Monday, August 17: 10 a.m., “Quartet” with Maggie Smith and Tom Courtney; noon, “The Savages” with Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Tuesday, August 18 – 10 a.m., “Et ai vivait tous ensemble” with Geraldine Chapalain and Jane Fonda (in French with Spanish subtitles); noon, “Iris” with Kate Winslet and Judy Dench.
Wednesday, August 19 – 10 a.m., “Away from Here” with Gordon Pinsent and Julie Christie; noon, “The Iron Lady” with Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent.
Thursday, August 20 - 10 a.m., “Still Mine” with James Cromwell and Geneviève Bujold; noon, “The Notebook” with Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner and Gene Rowlands.
Friday, August 21 – 10 a.m., “Still Alice” with Julianne Moore and Alec Baldwin; noon, “Las Buenas Hierbas” with Ursula Pruneda and Ofelia Medina (Spanish no subtitles).