The Genius of Marian at the MFA

We had a week of amazing screenings at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston – Jan. 22-30. A particularly special run for us, because of all the friends and family who came out to pack the house for a solid week. We also made new connections with other families and organizations we had not yet been in touch with in the Boston area.

We are also proud to announce that one of Marian’s paintings is now in the permanent collection of the museum as a result of a conversation that started after we were invited to screen the film.  A beautiful oil painting of a Greek rural landscape hung just inside the door of the theater for the entire week.

Here is a link we just added to our site with some more information about Marian’s career and a selection of images of her artwork. A more robust website dedicated to celebrating her work in under construction.

It really felt like the project had come full circle at the MFA, in celebrating both my families bravery in sharing our story so openly and honestly AND in being able to celebrate that my grandmother’s amazing spirit and talent as an artist was being recognized.

We would like to thank everyone who joined my father for a great Q&A to a full house on Thursday, January 29th.  Thank you Diane Stern from WBZ, Susan Rowlett, Care Consultation Program Manager at Alzheimer’s Association, and Dr. Brent Forrester, Director, Geriatric Mood Disorders Research Program,Harvard Medical School.

It was a special evening – although I am still a little embarrassed about how big my head was Skyped in on-screen.

We also had wonderful press coverage for the entire week. Here is a link to a review in the Boston Globe titled: Alzheimer’s Documentary Comes Close to Genius

Here is a wonderful quote from Dr. Brent Forrester:

I found the movie to be an incredibly touching and inspiring perspective on living with a family member who is suffering the ravages of dementia. The toll that dementia takes on one’s sense of identity and purpose in life and the impact on the family was nicely portrayed. The family was incredibly generous opening up their lives to share this story in a public venue.

I appreciated the discussion after watching the film, and appreciated hearing from Banker what went into making the movie and Ed’s feelings about caring for his wife.

For me, the portrayal of the physician made me realize how difficult it is to convey all that a family may need in a medical appointment and brought home the potential power of this movie to teach students about the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Brent Forester, MD
Geriatric Psychiatry Research Program
McLean Hospital 

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