Filmmaker Statement

I first came across this extraordinary bunch of seniors back in 2005, when they were on tour, performing live in a theatre near my home in London. My wife bought tickets on the strength of some terrific reviews in the British press, but I have to say I was — to say the least — a little skeptical. A chorus of senior citizens singing rock music? Was this going to be some sort of gimmick? A bit patronizing perhaps? I wasn’t sure, but I went anyway, ready to walk out at a moment’s notice.

Then something amazing happened. Eileen Hall, a British-born, 93-year-old, stepped up to the mic and belted out the lyrics to “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” by The Clash. Everybody in the packed audience gasped, and not simply because it was totally unexpected. As Eileen continued, the song took on a whole new meaning. She was singing, not about relationships, but about life and death. It was profoundly moving — as well as exciting and fresh. I was hooked. Here was the key to a film I just knew I had to make.

I’d always wanted to make something about old age; seniors get such a raw deal in the media — not to mention in real life — too often. Nobody wants to be reminded about getting old. But in this chorus, I could see a possible way through the tunnel: to create a sort of “rock opera” about old age, a film that would address the big issues of aging, but through music audiences could connect with and really enjoy. And the personalities in the chorus were so wonderfully engaging: often hilariously funny, larger-than-life, and sometimes shockingly honest about their lives — even, as you’ll see, their sex lives! I felt these were people audiences could love and recognize. People who reminded us of loved ones we know — or knew — in our own lives.

And so began a six month journey of discovery. After persuading the chorus’s charismatic director Bob Cilman to take us on board (in itself no easy feat!) we started production in the chorus’s hometown of Northampton, Massachusetts, as they prepared for a new show. I got to spend time with every member, consuming vast quantities of cake and cookies in the process (for some reason everybody seemed to think I needed feeding up). We decided to have lots of fun with the music, even creating our own music videos, which would point up the often-grotesque stereotypes of old age. There are four of them in the film, but I suppose my favorite is the version of “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones, which we set in a real nursing home. It was truly a protest song, which made the original punk version look rather tame. The staff and residents had never seen anything like it!

My journey encompassed pretty well every human emotion I had ever experienced. There was fun and laughter — and there was pathos and tragedy. Above all, there was the sense that these people offered a view of life which was exhilarating. Here they were, in the twilight of their own lives, living to the full, seizing the moment for everything it was worth — and not letting go. As a philosophy of life I found it utterly inspiring. I sincerely hope you do too.

—Stephen Walker

Read an interview with chorus director Bob Cilman >>

Tell us about seniors in your life who are young at heart >>

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