Alive Inside

"Music is the strongest form of magic"

Oct 18 2014 Not Rated 1h 18m
Documentary, News

Five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia—many of them alone in nursing homes. A man with a simple idea discovers that songs embedded deep in memory can ease pain and awaken these fading minds. Joy and life are resuscitated, and our cultural fears over aging are confronted.

Plot

The documentary follows social worker Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he fights against a broken health-care system to demonstrate music's ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. Rossato-Bennett visits family members who have witnessed the miraculous effects of personalized music on their loved ones, and offers illuminating interviews with experts including renowned neurologist and best-selling author Oliver Sacks (Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain) and musician Bobby McFerrin ("Don't Worry, Be Happy").

Written by

Michael Rossato-Bennett

Directed by

Michael Rossato-Bennett

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Artemis Rising, Impact Partners

Languages

English

Awards

12 wins & 7 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
3,285
Average Rating
8.2 out of 10
Metascore
67
Popularity
NA