Andrew Jenks, Room 335

Sad, funny, shocking, heart-wrenching – pick an adjective and it probably applies to 19-year-old filmmaker Andrew Jenks’ look at the “golden years.” With a baby boomer turning 60 every 7.5 seconds since January 1, 2006, the story is most timely.

In fact, the number of senior citizens will more than double – from 35 million to 71 million – in about 25 years. However, we know very little about the thoughts and minds of the older population of our nation. What does that mean for all of us?

For a month during the summer of 2005, Jenks moved to an assisted-living facility in Florida pursuing an answer to the question, “How do they feel now that they are at the end of their lives?” While forming timeless bonds, he not only found answers to his burning questions but also saw the beauty of life through wiser perspectives.

Andrew Jenks, Room 335 was chosen as “Best Film” in the 2006 Phoenix Film Festival and has placed as a finalist in festivals across the world. This authentic account of generational understanding bridges the generational mind gap, uncovering humanity one view at a time.

Filmmaker Andrew Jenks; Dr. Claudia Beverly, Director of the Arkansas Aging Initiative; and Dr. Barbara Shadden, Director of the Office for Studies on Aging at UA Fayetteville, led a two-way discussion about the film, the issues facing the current and future elderly population in Arkansas, and how positive change can be made for the future through education and awareness.

For more details about Jenks and his experience, visit www.andrewjenksroom335.com.

Back to Reel Stories Spring 2009 Series