Film fest: 'Our Time Machine' presents rare opportunity for discussion of Alzheimer's

The Alzheimer's Association, which has served the residents of the Coachella Valley for more than 20 years, was honored to be asked to participate in a unique opportunity for a special documentary screening on Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Camelot Theatres as part of the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival.

"Our Time Machine," a multiple award-winning documentary, details the journey of Maleonn, the son of the one-time director of the Chinese Opera. The film, directed by S. Leo Chiang, begins when Maleonn, who is one of China’s most influential conceptual artists, realizes that his father suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and decides to create “Papa’s Time Machine,” a magical, autobiographical stage performance featuring life-size mechanical puppets. Through the production of this play, the two men confront their mortality before time runs out and memories are lost forever.

Cortney Weir, the regional director of the Alzheimer's Association in the Coachella Valley, was asked to participate on the panel with Chiang, along with Jackie Kouri, the board chair for the California Southland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Together with Chiang and other members of the filmmaking crew, the Alzheimer's Association was pleased to have the opportunity to provide perspective and information on Alzheimer's disease and to add insight and context for the audience.

"Our Time Machine" is a visually stunning and emotionally beautiful film, depicting the struggle that many adult care-giving children face when dealing with a parent's cognitive decline: Is it best to put your own dreams on hold to care for the parent who means so much to you, or is it more important to fulfill the legacy of your own dreams that your parents worked so hard to enable you to pursue? The film is an honest depiction of familial devotion, artistic genius and how, ultimately, acceptance in loving your parent exactly as they are and finding the joy in life, whatever the circumstances. It's a nuanced portrait of an artist's drive to create a worthy tribute to the legacy of his father, but also an intimate glimpse of the artistic process and emotions that each artist must in the pursuit of their vision.

For more information on "Our Time Machine" visit timemachinefilm.com, and for more information on Alzheimer's disease, please contact the local Alzheimer's Association at (760) 996-0006 or visit alz.org. 

Cortney Weir has enjoyed serving many desert nonprofits professionally and as a volunteer in her 25 years living in the Coachella Valley. She was a founding board member of the Coachella Valley Autism Society and served as executive director for both the Heart Association and the Arthritis Foundation. In her three years with the Alzheimer's Association, she has greatly expanded their local programming, including adding many social engagement programs, diversity outreach and implementing new and dynamic services to the community.