Miss not the discourse of the elders. - Ben Sira

May 4, 2010 6:44 AM

The Grand Generation (1993 - 27 min.) is a warm and inspiring portrait of six elderly Americans whose vigor belies their age. The film is a cogent reminder that most of us probably don't hear nearly enough of what the very oldest among us have to say.

The amazing Nimrod Workman, coal miner, union activist and balladeer, is one of the six people profiled in the film. Some of you may remember him from this post of mine from 2008. if you missed that one, or if you don't already know about Nimrod, I recommend exploring the links on him there. Of course, that post overall serves as a companion to this one, with its focus on very old people.

posted by flapjax at midnite (7 comments total)

this was so touching. Thank you. I dread the day that these people are gone, but my generation acts like they already are. I have spent a hundred times more hours on metafilter than talking to anyone older than 50.
posted by rebent at 8:02 AM on May 4, 2010

Well, I'm over 50 (barely) so don't beat yourself up.
posted by philip-random at 8:11 AM on May 4, 2010

Just once I'd like to see one truly unhappy person on one of these centenarian docs. Someone who is just miserable and full of regret. Makes me wonder if all those people die young or the people filming these docs just don't consider those people worth their time because they don't fit into their preconceived narrative.
posted by any major dude at 8:34 AM on May 4, 2010

Just once I'd like to see one truly unhappy person on one of these centenarian docs. Someone who is just miserable and full of regret.

Haha! That could be entertaining, in a perverse way. Worth keeping in mind, however, that film documentary portraits about such people as you describe of any age are probably few and far between.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:47 AM on May 4, 2010

Worth keeping in mind, however, that film documentary portraits about such people as you describe of any age are probably few and far between.

I, Curmudgeon.
posted by mykescipark at 9:38 AM on May 4, 2010

Grouchy people say no to documentaries. I dare you to try to film my mother. ;-)
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 5:41 PM on May 4, 2010

I have a mother-in-law and a stepmother-in-law, both 96 year old: the mean one is much more fun. The way she disses relatives has kept me laughing for years.

(I try not to think on what she could be saying behind my back)
posted by francesca too at 4:50 PM on May 5, 2010