“I first met Carl Duzen and Susan Jewett in the summer of 2016, as we had a mutual friend in artistic director Teya Sepinuck. The public radio program This American Life had recently done a story about them grappling with the early stages of Carl’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and in particular Carl’s unique method of trying to decipher his own illness: Carl was a renowned physics teacher who tried to apply the scientific method to evaluate his own deteriorating abilities.

But upon meeting them it was Carl and Susan’s unique and evolving relationship that moved me. I started filming knowing that I wanted to capture this moment in their lives, as roles shifted and challenges emerged. In the intervening time the story took an unexpected turn: unable to engage in the scientific inquiry of his prior career, Carl found solace in his basement, dismantling discarded electronics in search of the valuable copper inside. The metaphorical power of the act was striking, but it went one step further when Susan, an art teacher and artist, started framing the copper, leading to a fruitful collaboration (and now traveling art show!) that enriched their relationship in a difficult time.

The thread that has emerged is one of resiliency and love in the face of a life-changing diagnosis. My hope is that this short documentary can reflect this time.”

Mike Attie is an award-winning filmmaker whose films have screened at major international film festivals including CPH:DOX, Hot Docs, San Francisco and Sundance. He is a professor of film and the Film program director at the University of the Arts.

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