Alzheimer’s patient Henry Dryer reacts to the music of Cab Calloway.
The new documentary film,Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory, debuts this week at the annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The film demonstrates the ability of music to awaken otherwise unresponsive Alzheimer’s patients, unlocking distant memories. It follows social worker Dan Cohen’s campaign to bring iPods and music therapy to nursing homes. The film is written, directed and produced by Michael Rossato-Bennett. Learn more about it here and here and keep an eye out for a screening in your area.
This film serves as a great reminder of the transcendent power of music. It’s hard to imagine a more worthy commitment than bringing music to young children and the elderly.
It is touching even watch the clip.