7:15 pm | $7/$5 members | 2 hours | Documentary | Sponsored by the RVHHC
An uplifting cinematic exploration of music and the mind, Alive Inside, filmmaker Michael Rossato-Bennett’s exploration of music’s capacity to reawaken our souls and uncover the deepest parts of our humanity, will be screened at Rosendale Theatre, presented in collaboration with the Rondout Valley Holistic Health Community. This stirring documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he fights against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music’s ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. Original music for the film was composed by Grammy Award winner Itaal Shur. The program will last approximately 120 minutes.
Rossato-Bennett’s camera reveals the uniquely human connection we find in music and how its healing power can triumph where prescription medication falls short. Featured are illuminating interviews with family members who have witnessed the miraculous effects of personalized music on their loved ones and experts including renowned neurologist and best-selling author Oliver Sacks (Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain) and musician Bobby McFerrin (“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”). Alive Inside’s inspirational and emotional story left audiences humming, clapping and cheering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award. Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, wrote about Alive Inside, “…Stirring. A magical, non-medical story of healing.
Dan Cohen is founder and executive director of Music & Memory, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of digital music players with individualized playlists to improve the quality of life for elders, regardless of their cognitive or physical status. Music & Memory operates in hundreds of long-term-care homes across the U.S. and abroad. Cohen received his MSW from Adelphi University and has spent most of his career helping individuals and organizations use technology more effectively.
Michael Rossato-Bennett (Director, Writer and Producer) is developing several documentaries through his production company Projector Media. These enterprises are inspired by his dedication to the wellbeing of society and progressive human change towards the greater good.