The Mole Agent: Rethinking Old Age

When a family grows concerned for their mother’s well-being in a retirement home, private investigator Romulo hires Sergio to become a new resident and a mole inside the home. Sergio struggles to balance his assignment with his increasing involvement in the lives of other residents. Official Selection, Sundance Film Festival. A co-production of POV and ITVS. A co-presentation of Latino Public Broadcasting.

In this lesson, students will challenge what they think they know about “old age” and understand the impact that ageism has on older people like Sergio and his peers in The Mole Agent. They will examine how perceptions of “old age” and myths about aging contribute to loneliness and diminished health and quality of life for seniors. The lesson will culminate with students demonstrating their knowledge by identifying opportunities for positive social change for seniors and/or identifying and correcting age-related bias in the media.

Allison Milewski has developed media education resources for a range of award-winning filmmakers and national media organizations, including PBS LearningMedia, Independent Television Services (ITVS), Latino Public Broadcasting, HBO Documentaries, and Tribeca Film Institute. She is also the founder of the international media education program, PhotoForward.org.