A Song for Martin (En Sång För Martin)

Thursday, January 20, 2005 – 7:30 pm
Sweden 2001. Director: Bille August
Cast: Sven Wollter, Viveka Seldahl, Reine Brynolfsson, Lisa Werlinder, Linda Kallgren

A Song for Martin tells the story of two people late in life who find sudden, delirious love, and then lose it in one of the most painful ways possible – to Alzheimer’s disease. Barbara (Viveka Seldahl), a concert violinist, and Martin (Sven Wollter), a world-famous conductor and composer, meet for the first time when both are middle-aged. They fall profoundly, deeply in love and soon marry and settle down to joyful life (and a working musical partnership). The signs of Martin’s Alzheimer’s disease are at first isolated – but their progression is relentless. Director Bille August (Pelle the Conqueror) charts Martin’s increasing confusion and isolation along with Barbara’s desperate struggle to adjust to each sad new stage in his decline with harrowing candour and sensitivity. “A work of deep compassion and lacerating sadness.” (Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune) “…more honest about Alzheimer’s disease than Iris.” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times). Colour, 35mm, in Swedish with English subtitles. 118 mins.

The program will include a post-screening discussion with:
Dr. Darren Thompson. Dr. Thompson is a geriatric psychiatrist who recently moved to Vancouver after completing his training at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has worked extensively with individuals suffering from dementia as well as loved ones who care for them.

Evening moderated by:
Dr. Harry Karlinsky Director of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.

Co-sponsored by the Richmond Mental Health Services Older Adult Team and the Consulate General of Sweden in Vancouver.