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POP: a film tribute to a father
Professor David Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service
Frontline PBS Eigthy-seven year old Hy Meyerowitz (photo) is a vital, unpredictable, and remarkably funny man. With the wisdom of a lifetime spent observing life, Hy interacts with everyone he encounters. While those who meet Hy will not soon forget him, Hy probably will not remember them. Hy Meyerowitz has Alzheimer's disease.

Hy's son, acclaimed photographer Joel Meyerowitz has produced his first film, which is a portrait of his father. The film titled "Pop" is Joel's moving tribute to his father. "Pop", currently being broadcast by PBS television's Frontline, was filmed during a two-week road trip from Florida to New York.

Through photographs of Hy as a young father and clips of Meyerowitz family home movies, son Joel paints a picture of his father as a vital and well-liked man, qualities that have stayed with him as his illness has progressed. Born in the Bronx, Hy has the quick sense of humor peculiar to men of his generation, men who grew up with vaudeville, comedians like George Burns, and the Great Depression.

During the road trip, some of Joel's efforts to jog his father's memory succeed, as when he gets his father to remember details about his own father, an immigrant from Russia. Joel also succeeds in getting Hy to strike a fighter's pose and relive aloud his glory days as lightweight Golden Gloves champ.

"Pop" is a warm, insightful exploration of the impact that Alzheimer's has on its victims and their family. Check your local PBS-TV listings for the broadcast schedule.
Graphic Credit: Frontline, WGBH, Boston, MA.
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America.
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