The Cinematheque

Vancouver Premiere

Married for almost forty years, Adam and Wanda’s hopes that their happy life will continue into old age are shattered when Wanda is stricken with Alzheimer’s disease. The documentary picks up several years after Wanda is first diagnosed, when she is rapidly deteriorating, and follows the couple over the next three years. Adam has become Wanda’s sole caregiver, with no outside assistance. As Wanda’s memories and personality fade away and her speech and motor skills disintegrate, the demands on Adam increase exponentially. Determined to continue caring for his wife, but driven to physical and emotional exhaustion, Adam starts to attend a support group for caregivers, which provides some much-needed camaraderie. An intense and intimate film that doesn’t shy away from the difficult moments, Love and Empty Words is ultimately a stirring portrait of the enduring strength of love.

Post-screening discussion with Maria Howard, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Maria holds an MBA in Leadership (University of Athabasca) and an M.Ed in Rehabilitation (University of Washington). She is treasurer of the B.C. Lower Mainland Executive for the Canadian College of Health Leaders and a Director on Imagine Canada’s Standards Council.

Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.