It is estimated that over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia—the most common symptom being Alzheimer’s disease. However, my desire to tell a story about this subject began not with clinical data or medical statistics, but from my personal connection to it through my family. I have witnessed the immense toll that my parents would endure in dealing with my grandmother’s cognitive decline; the challenges of her losing her memories, identity, and willingness to connect with the world stirred within me a deep desire to explore this reality through film.

What drew me to this project was not just the tragedy of Alzheimer’s but also the remarkable resilience and humanity of those living with the disease. I would often see the hardships that my grandmother would impose on those around her, but ultimately the commitment of service and persistence of love would still be evident in caring for her. I love being reminded that despite the struggles someone with Alzheimer’s might inflict, they still have the capacity to feel, to be happy, or to be frustrated—and thus deserving of our care and respect. 

One of the things I felt strongly about in the making of Trying Memory is that I wanted to create a narrative story that resonates on an emotional level rather than merely presenting a clinical depiction. I'm always drawn to genre films as my sources of inspiration, so I set out to hide the subject matter within a story of possible betrayal, deceitfulness, and mystery. 

To achieve this, I used a variety of specifically designed techniques, from interrogative visuals to splicing non-linear elements. I experimented with soundscapes and imagery to convey both the possible disorientation and moments of clarity to hint at the experience of Alzherimer's. The disease itself however, is never mentioned throughout the film, an almost lingering presence that asks the audience to figure it out on their own.

Balancing the emotional aspects of Alzheimer's while keeping the film engaging was a fun challenge. I would constantly question how to present enough context without spoon-feeding the audience with obvious clues. I'm always fond of non-linear storytelling, and I would constantly be grateful at how perfect of a storytelling device it was for this film. In the end, I hope it provides viewers with a deeply satisfying and empathetic exploration of this all too common condition.