A young filmmaker who lost his grandmother to Alzheimer’s is hoping his latest project will show sufferers of the disease and their families they are not alone.

David Cooper, 26, who lives in Todd Close in Borehamwood, has just released The Call, which is being used to spearhead a campaign supporting dementia charities throughout the world.

Partners include The Alzheimer’s Society UK, Alzheimer’s Disease International and dementia charities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

The film, which took a year and a half to make, draws on interviews with people affected by dementia and their families and carers.

Mr Cooper, who runs production company iCandy Productions, gave up his time to make the film and the cast and crew are all volunteers.

The film is dedicated to his grandmother Stella Cooper, who died of Alzheimer’s in her 80s after spending five years struggling with the disease. 

He said: “I saw the effect the disease had on my grandma. Everyone says they have the world’s best grandma but I really did. She was always chatting with my other grandma, they were best friends, and she always used to look after us. It was awful watching her becoming trapped, unable to express herself or recognise us.

“Around 44million people around the world live with Alzheimer’s but little is heard about the effects of the disease on their carers, family and friends.

“I wanted to make a film that highlights the struggles of those slowly losing their loved ones to Alzheimer’s and let them know they are not alone.”

Mr Cooper added the project had been a labour of love and he is overjoyed and relieved to have finally released it.

He said: “It has had critical success, with praise from actress Sheila Hancock, who called it emotive and powerful.”

The Call finishes with an appeal from Sir Patrick Stewart, asking people to donate to Alzheimer’s Charities.

The Star Trek actor said: “In The Call the director and writer David Cooper has created a short film that not only engages and informs but captures the pain, emotion and struggles of those who suffer with dementia.

“It was a pleasure to be involved with such a worthwhile project and I encourage everyone to give it the support it deserves.”

 

To watch the film and find out about how you can donate, visit www.thecallshortfilm.com