Our world is entering its Golden Years. By 2050, it is estimated there will be 1.5 billion senior citizens on the planet. Preparing for this phenomenon will practically change all aspects of our societies. A new feature-length global documentary The Silver Mirror explores the changing view on aging in the 21st Century.
The film, written, directed and produced by Ali Habashi, director of the Edward H. Arnold Center for Confluent Media Studies at the College of Engineering, with cinematography by School of Communication Professor Ed Talavera, will have its U.S. premiere Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Cosford Cinema.
“The Silver Mirror is a search to better understand how our planet is changing due to the aging populations around the world and how our generation may be the first in human history that has the opportunity to unravel, and perhaps control, the biological causes of aging,” said Habashi, who spent three years working on the film.
The film was produced with support of the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation and the University of Miami Ethics Program’s Arsht Ethics Initiatives. The screening is also sponsored by the School of Communication and the Alumni Association.
“Aging is a universal topic that affects us all,” said UM President Donna E. Shalala, who is featured in the film. “The Silver Mirror is an important film because it delves into all aspects of the aging process and how societies will have to deal with this growing phenomenon.”
Narrated and hosted by Tony and Emmy Award winning actress Blythe Danner, The Silver Mirror features interviews with noted poet Maya Angelou and John Beard of the World Health Organization among others. It sheds new light on breakthrough research including the evolutionary causes of aging. The music for the film was created by Frost School of Music Professor Thomas M. Sleeper
Through insightful interviews and a round table discussion with thought leaders including School of Education and Human development Dean Isaac Prilleltensky and Bernard Roos, former professor of medicine and director of the division of gerontology and geriatric medicine, The Silver Mirror also explores the implications of extending the human life span through various genetic and regenerative pathways, including the top-tier genetic research being carried out by Professor Carlos T. Moraes of UM’s Miller School of Medicine.
The documentary will also be screened in Geneva on Oct 1. during the International Day of Older Persons at the headquarters of the World Health Organization, and in New York on Nov. 7 at the Myrna Daniels Auditorium, co-presented with Center for Bioethics at Columbia University.
The Cosford screening is free and open to the public. To R.S.V.P. for the film, please contact UM Ethics Programs at ethics@miami.edu or 305 243-5723. The Cosford Cinema is located at 1111 Memorial Drive, on the campus of the University of Miami.
