POISON

Director Statement

My grandmother is an early-stage Alzheimer's patient. During my childhood, I lived with my grandparents, so I had a deep emotional bond with my grandmother and witnessed her ageing and the changes caused by the illness. She used to be a talkative and lively person, enjoying crafts, playing computer games, and couldn't resist indulging in candies and desserts. However, the illness completely changed her, she became silent and reserved, struggling to find her words. The constant chatter that used to come effortlessly from her mouth seemed to have disappeared.

Many movies and audiences have an inaccurate understanding of Alzheimer's disease. They often depict it with a sentimental and heartwarming ending, which leads to a lack of sufficient awareness and importance given to this illness. Sometimes, it is even taken lightly or turned into a source of humour. People lack a proper concept of this disease, not realizing how terrifying it can be, and they often approach it from the perspective of bystanders, doing things that may be self-satisfying but provide no substantial assistance to patients. Unaware of how terrifying it can be and unsure about prevention and caregiving for Alzheimer's patients.

My film primarily focuses on the cognitive impairments experienced by Alzheimer's patients. I want to make people understand the immense suffering in the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's, something that is difficult to comprehend as an observer. I chose to portray the character Andre with memories frozen at the age of twelve because I have witnessed similar situations during my volunteer work at a nursing home. There, many elderly individuals exhibited behaviours and cognitive abilities resembling those of children. They would rejoice over getting an extra piece of cake, smile uncontrollably when receiving extra attention from volunteers, and constantly bring up new and interesting topics in hopes of gaining more attention. It struck me deeply that as people age, their cognition seems to regress back to childhood.

Society's attention and tolerance towards the elderly are insufficient, and through this film, I hope to provide audiences with a perspective from the elderly's point of view, allowing them to empathise and experience their emotions. I want to raise awareness and understanding of the desperation and helplessness faced by Alzheimer's patients, ultimately garnering more attention and support for this disease.