Project Detail

The Memory Boom

Synopsis

An experimental film that recreates the experiences of dementia through spoken word, documentary, dramatic reconstruction, and never-before-seen deteriorated archival footage: 16mm films from the 1930s to the 1960s, featuring major historical events and world travel. THE MEMORY BOOM is framed from inside the mind of Pops, a hospitalised grandfather with severe dementia. The decayed footage serves as a visual exploration of Pops' memories.
Pops' grandson narrates from his bedside, attempting to preserve Pops' memories while struggling to comprehend memory loss. Pops' confused thoughts rise to the surface, and he shares them with his grandson as if it were 'storytime' leading him down rivulets of muddled tales and garbled memories spanning his lifetime. Pops' Filipina nurse supports the grandson, sharing her inability to care for her own dementia-affected father in the Philippines. The film charts the trio's journeys through emotional turmoil, leading to a deeper understanding of the nuances of memory.
THE MEMORY BOOM was created with documentary participants from community groups across rural England and features anonymously donated archival materials, courtesy of Exeter Phoenix. The film was made in memory of the filmmakers’ relatives who lived with dementia, and explores memory preservation and photographic consent.
Official Selection PÖFF - Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2024 - World premiere

Details

Year
2024
Type of project
Features
Running time
60 min
Format
16mm
Director
Xenia Glen 1st Feature
Producer
Yemi Adegbulu, Xenia Glen
Executive Producer
Luke Hagan, Jonas Hawkins
Editor
xenia glen
Screenwriter
Antosh Wojcik
Director of Photography
Featuring archive footage courtesy of Exeter Phoenix
Sound
Antosh Wojcik
Composer
_weirdtoday
Principal cast
Antosh Wojcik, Paul Foster, Venus Perez-Lonoy

Production Status

Production Company

Sleepwalker Studios Ltd

Yemi Adegbulu
Rotherwood
Merrifield
Colehill
Dorset
BH21 7PB

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

See also

You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.

Alo Alo

Director: Xenia Glen

Year: 2022

Alo, an undocumented overseas Filipino worker, lives in an overcrowded house-share in London. He is struck by a latent neurological problem, which causes a bout of seizures and disrupts his situation in the household. The residents of the house are posed an ultimatum; should they risk Alo’s health or call an ambulance, potentially resulting in his deportation? World Premiere: BFI London Film Festival 2023 Sundance London 2024

79 79

Director: Eve Leonard-Walsh

Year: 2027

A high energy, fast paced, tragic and comedic look, at a city changing beyond recognition. It's younger generation, fighting for self expression. Frank, a crooked businessman, runs; The Apollo. A venue in the heart of Glasgow, famous for the iconic bands it hosted. Supported by his cronies, mostly hoods and part time gangsters. Frank profits from the business but has no interest in its social significance. His 3 sons (all in their 20’s) are: Andy; training to be a priest, Mark; an ex-soldier, and Ian; Studying at University. Frank also has an illegitimate son called Beattie, who suffers from epilepsy. Each of the sons are very different and the film explores the character development of these young men over the space of 3 days and in the epilogue. Where the action jumps forward to 3 months later. The film incorporates live action (re-enactments) of gigs which took place at the time at the Apollo.

An elderly woman with glowing eyes looks past the camera. Sundowning

Director: Aimie Willemse

Year: 2026

Left alone with her estranged grandmother, a perceptive nine-year-old sees her become something monstrous, navigating a night of fear, confusion, and the thin line between love and survival.