COOKIES 4 JANE, 62min., USA
Directed by Mary Elle Alexander
Ten years in the making, “Cookies 4 Jane” recounts the final chapters of the life of a beloved matriarch, Jane, as she battles Alzheimer’s Disease. Filmed, edited, and directed by Jane’s granddaughter, Mary, this intimate documentary condenses four years of raw footage into an hour-long, heart-rending, inspirational, and delightfully educational piece.

https://vimeo.com/maryellealexander

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
a. Spending time with my grandmother had always brought me joy. She was the matriarch of our family and the glue that kept us all connected. When I began
witnessing her progression into dementia, it began to have a strong effect on my
mother, aunts, siblings, and everyone else whose life she was a part of. It was at
that moment that I realized that the battle against Alzheimer’s was not hers alone
to fight. I felt that if I could document her journey, and share it with the world, that
I might be able to give hope to others out there with similar situations. No one
should have to fight this disease alone.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film?
a. I started in my senior year as a film student who wanted to document my
grandmother and how our family was dealing with the mental and physical pain
after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia. Upon graduating, I transitioned to
become one of my grandmother’s caregivers, thus giving me the ability to film her
intimately over a period of 3 to 4 years. Unfortunately, I developed some major
health issues after she passed away, forcing me to table my efforts for the
foreseeable future.
Once my health improved, I was determined to complete my documentary. I
spent a significant amount of time researching the most up to date information on
the physical and psychological decline of Alzheimer’s patients, which eventually
lead me to changing the format and direction of my original film. In the end, the
total time from idea inception to film completion was approximately 10 years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
a. Heart Breaking

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
a. My anxiety. It was such a huge project.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?
a. Very excited and relieved. I was glad to see feedback from people who are not personally connected to my family. It reinforced my goal of the film’s power to educate; helping people understand this devastating disease and the effect that it has on family and friends.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
a. When I was around 12 years old. There was something natural about filmmaking and as I got older, I wanted people to see the world through my eyes.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
a. Shrek

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking
career?
a. I have not had much experience in this area; therefore, I am not sure I’d be much help.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?
a. I’ve enjoyed using FilmFreeway and felt it was an easy way to apply and keep updated.

10. What is your favorite meal?
a. I really love soups, especially egg lemon soup.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
a. Yes. Later this month, I will be taking a trip to Greece to film a documentary for a nonprofit, Animal Welfare program.