The filmmaker Jeremiah Hayes discusses his new documentary Dear Audrey, a film that looks at the life and work of filmmaker Martin Duckworth and how he cares for his wife, the photographer Audrey Schirmer after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Jeremiah Hayes joins me now. His new film, which he directed, wrote, co-produced, shot, and edited, Dear Audrey is currently available for streaming as part of the DOXA: Documentary Film Festival. You have until this Sunday, 15 May 2022 to get tickets and stream it online. The film follows the filmmaker Martin Duckworth as he narrates his own life story to Jeremiah’s camera, as it also chronicles his caring of his wife, the photographer and artist, Audrey Schirmer after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Duckworth is also caring for an adult daughter who has autism. His commitment, and love of both comes through as we see him navigate daily life in and around his Montreal home. I’ll ask Jeremiah about Duckworth’s work as a filmmaker, which he reveals over the course of the film. I’ll ask him about the various techniques he as a filmmaker employs like animation, in telling the story. The film is very moving. I enjoyed it a lot, and bawled a couple of times. While we all wish for ourselves to be loved and cared for, you see in the movie, hopefully learn from Duckworth as to how to love and care for another person. Jeremiah Hayes is an award-winning film director, writer and editor. He received the Gemini Award in 2010 for co-directing the documentary Reel Injun, which won other awards including a Peabody. He received a Canadian Screen Award for editing the 2017 award-winning documentary Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World. The website www.dearaudrey.ca will have information on how to see the movie, as well as has resources on Alzheimer’s, video clips, as well as Audrey Schirmer’s photos. I spoke to Jeremiah last week, just before a theatrical screening of the film as part of DOXA. It is a Cineflex Media and National Film Board of Canada co-production. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jeremiah Hayes; Mr. Hayes, good morning.

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