Dressed in white jumpsuit Vijitra Kanthawivorn, 73, a retired nurse from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, gestured for a group of her friends to sit next to her as the screening of the film was about to begin.
The film was Manchester By The Sea, a sombre drama about a man whose wife and child die in an accident. Starring Casey Affleck in his Oscar-winning role, the film is a story about coping with grief -- a story, essentially, that resonates with elderly people.
Despite not being an avid movie buff, Vijitra regularly attends this special programme of selected films for senior citizens once every two months in Chulalongkorn's auditorium. This is where she can catch up with friends and enjoy watching movies filled with meaning.
The free event, organised for Thais aged 50 and above since 2015 by Chulalongkorn Cognitive Fitness Center (CFC), is in partnership with the Thai Film Archive, and offers a number of elderly folks the opportunity to enjoy some entertainment, socialise and return home with food for thought from the movies they watch. The chosen films touch on topics relevant to senior people. The medical team behind the project also believes that art and movies can play a positive effect in preventing mental issues that sometimes accompany old age. Some of the titles shown in the programme in the past year included: Still Alice (in which Julianne Moore plays an woman diagnosed with Alzheimer's), The Theory Of Everything (a biopic of Stephen Hawking, a physicist who suffers from ALS), Inside Out (an animated film whose characters are five human emotions), The Chronicle Of My Mother (a Japanese film about family relationship and old age).
Afterwards, a post-movie screening discussion is held with a panel of experts, which include the head of the CFC Dr Sookjaroen Tangwongchai and philanthropist Khunying Chamnongsri Hanchanlash, who has a rather interesting analytical mind when it comes to addressing social issues.
In between breaks Vijitra shares her take on the movie, saying: "This movie touches on sensitive issues about loss and grief, which is close to us old people. I am into dhamma so I am able to deal with these issues better but for many, these are issues most of us struggle with as we know our years are numbered.
"Post movie discussions give the audience a chance to share their thoughts and feelings on a variety of topics that we otherwise would not have the opportunity to speak on. We go away from each movie screening a bit more enlightened on how to deal with life's problems in the most constructive manner."
Listening on to Vijitra was her friend, nickname "Air", who added: "Each movie we watch is a reflection of what is occurring within our society. I am a spinster who lives with her extended family. The problems I face are probably unique to others who are married. Some of the movies picked for us deal with these topics, so for me its really good. The doctor even gives his tips on addressing anxious thoughts, and explains the process of venting our aggression. This is so beneficial to a lot of us.''
Meanwhile Dr Sookjaroen said the movie screening programme came from an endeavour to prevent mental and emotional issues, particularly depression and Alzheimer's, among senior citizens. Adding that they have a more difficult time returning to normal when these issues surface in them.
The assistant professor remarked that because Thailand is in the process of becoming an ageing society it was imperative to have such a programme in place for social stimulation, encouragement and by meeting people get a sense of self worth. Movies are also great medium to get people to introspect, he said.
To make his point, he shared that a 2016 Situation of the Elderly Report conducted by the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development institute reported that Thailand was found to have approximately 400,000 elderly who are reportedly dependent on assistance as well as roughly 600,000 senior folks suffering dementia.
"Our guest speakers are experts in their individual field. Our desire is to not just screen a movie where they get mind stimulation but also hear from experts for their take on the issues addressed in the movie," he said.
"Movies we pick offer food for thought, a solution at the end and speak on current issues people face."
Dr Sookjaroen said emotional issues often surface after retirement when income and lifestyle is drastically altered. Grief after death, social isolation and age-related medical issues can also trigger depression.
To prepare for an ageing society, the psychiatric expert advised society to build an environment with the aged in mind so they are able to live a productive existence in their twilight years.
"The environment I speak about should start from your home. Ask yourself if your residence is elderly friendly. The infrastructure today should also place importance on the needs of our senior citizens. Recreational areas for them and a place for socialising is always crucial for their needs," he said.
"The elderly like the rest of us need to look forward to something in life. Our movie screenings are one way to bring them out of the house to not just entertain themselves but also meet old and new friends."
Dr Sookjaroen said there was a general fear among elderly people of living apart from their families, as economic and societal factors have left them fending for themselves. Government needs to step in and bridge that gap, he said.
"I would suggest the government build more senior citizen residences where all their needs are met. This would be an alternative for people and an investment towards their twilight years without having to trouble their children."
For more information on the programme, contact Chulalongkorn Cognitive Fitness Center, Chulalongkorn Hospital on 02-716-5995.
