"Distant Memories" Explores Alzheimer’s at Summerdance

On September 8, 2024, the Regent Theatre in Arlington will host Summerdance 2024, a highly anticipated showcase of independent cinema. The event will feature a diverse selection of seven short films, ranging from experimental comedies to moving dramas, and will serve as an excellent networking platform for both seasoned and emerging filmmakers.

The evening will include red carpet interviews by Friendly Filmmaker, a networking cocktail hour, screenings of each innovative film—including a special appearance by "Oliver" from Embrace the Film—and exclusive Q&A sessions with each director, moderated by The Film Stock Podcast.

Gabrielle Rosson, one of the filmmakers presenting at Summerdance and the event's organizer, explains that Summerdance is a curated showcase.

“Filmmakers are chosen based on the scope of their work and whether or not their films have been previously screened. By creating these guidelines, we give audiences—including talent scouts, film financiers/producers, and industry professionals—a first look at some of the premier work being made in our community.”

Among the noteworthy entries is "Distant Memories," a 10-minute drama by Chris Esper. In the following interview with award-winning journalist Shirley Ruhe, Esper, who is also a writer, director, producer, and lead assistant editor at A+E Factual Studios, discusses his new short film.

Q. Do you write and produce films full-time?

A. I’m fortunate to have a day job at A+E Factual Studios, where we develop and produce documentary films. I work as a lead assistant editor on reality TV and have worked on a few comedy specials. However, I dedicate the rest of my time to what I love—writing and producing films.

Q. What is your film background?

A. For a short period, I thought I wanted to be an actor but discovered that working behind the camera was more fulfilling for me. I attended New England Tech in Rhode Island and have made around ten short films over the nearly 15 years I’ve been producing films. With each project, I have grown more and more.

Q. Describe "Distant Memories." Where did you get the idea?

A. "Distant Memories" explores Alzheimer’s through the perspective of the main character. Instead of using the term “dementia,” I chose to depict the condition in a more abstract manner, illustrating it through a black box room where Anna is trapped with her fading memories. I use home movie flashbacks—scenes of a little girl playing hopscotch, family life, etc. to show the crucial memories she is losing. I drew from my personal experience with Alzheimer’s, having witnessed it in both of my grandparents. When I was quite young my paternal grandmother passed away and I didn’t fully understand her situation. I have vivid memories of her struggling with memory loss and of my mother mentioning past events to her, but occasionally my grandmother would have brief moments of lucidity. This made me curious about what it would be like to experience Alzheimer’s from the inside.

Q. What has been the most difficult thing about preparing this film?

A. The most challenging aspect was directing the actors. Portraying the effects of Alzheimer’s requires delicate acting. There is a scene, for example, where the main character, who is played by Sissy O'Hara (who I've known and worked with for over a decade), is attempting to cook but can’t remember the recipe. She was remarkable in bringing this role to life.

Q. Do you have a style?

A. Yes, I feel that I do. In my film “Imposter,” I also explored internal feelings, such as the feeling of being a fraud or the anxiety of presenting one’s work. I did this by showing a physical representation of those feelings. So each character had another self which it would interact with. It was a silent film reflecting how everyone has their own anxieties, which often remain hidden from others.

Q. Take me back. When did you first get interested in film?

A. I’ve been a film lover since I was about five years old. I used to watch films constantly, and my parents would take me to a video store near our home in New Jersey. As the internet became available, it allowed me to research actors and directors, which further fueled my passion.

Q. Is this a difficult business?

A. Yes, the film industry has many levels. There are students with dreams of making it to LA, and then there are those of us working at a lower profile, passionate about our artistry but not yet widely known. It’s a challenging field. Sometimes things don’t come together as planned—the lighting, the sound, or the budget constraints. You often have to finance your own projects, and even when you do get some funding, it might not be enough to realize your full vision. You end up taking on multiple roles—costume designer, location scout, financier, and actor. It’s a tough industry, and often, the last person to benefit is yourself.

Q. What are your hopes/plans for the future?

A. I would love to create feature films to express my ideas on a larger scale, to say more. I have a lot to say, and I love to tell a story.

For tickets to Summerdance 2024 visit: https://regenttheatre.com/events/summerdance-2024/

About the Author: Shirley Ruhe is an award-winning photographer and reporter for the Connection newspapers in Virginia, a role she has excelled in since 2016. Prior to her journalism career, she served as the Director of Budget and Economic Priorities for the House of Representatives Budget Committee and as the Director of Congressional Relations for the RAND Corporation. Shirley also has a distinguished background in the arts as the former Chair of the Board of the Leon French American Theatre and as a Helen Hayes Award Nominator.