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Performing Arts History & Criticism

The Silvering Screen

Old Age and Disability in Cinema

by (author) Sally Chivers

Publisher
University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Initial publish date
May 2011
Category
History & Criticism, Gerontology
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781442611047
    Publish Date
    May 2011
    List Price
    $39.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781442640795
    Publish Date
    May 2011
    List Price
    $55.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442661981
    Publish Date
    May 2011
    List Price
    $29.95

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Description

Popular films have always included elderly characters, but until recently, old age only played a supporting role onscreen. Now, as the Baby Boomer population hits retirement, there has been an explosion of films, including Away From Her, The Straight Story, The Barbarian Invasions, and About Schmidt, where aging is a central theme.

The first-ever sustained discussion of old age in cinema, The Silvering Screen brings together theories from disability studies, critical gerontology, and cultural studies, to examine how the film industry has linked old age with physical and mental disability. Sally Chivers further examines Hollywood's mixed messages - the applauding of actors who portray the debilitating side of aging, while promoting a culture of youth - as well as the gendering of old age on film. The Silvering Screen makes a timely attempt to counter the fear of aging implicit in these readings by proposing alternate ways to value getting older.

About the author

Sally Chivers is Chair of the Department of Canadian Studies at Trent University.

Sally Chivers' profile page