The Memory Clinic films (2009)

‘The Memory Clinic’ project was part of the first year of a two year residency based at Ysbyty Gwynedd, North Wales.  The project involved working intuitively with three out-patients and family members in their own homes and Glyn Menai Dementia Care Centre. Brett’s aim was to document the subjects daily routine, recording conversations and everyday sounds to intertwine with photographs from the past and present-day viewpoints from each participant’s environment.

Brett states: “My role as a filmmaker was to raise awareness of how ‘memory loss’ impacts upon the individual by encouraging the viewer to emotionally connect with the subjects and identify with them on a more intimate and engaging level.”

Eric’s Story:

The main dialogue within the film comes from Eric’s daughters, their stories carry us through a life of a man that saw the best in everyone, who bought up four children on his own and eventually fell in love again in his later years, but at time when he was showing the first signs of dementia.

Eurwen & Jim’s Story:

The film shows the dynamics in a relationship that has dramatically changed following Eurwen’s brain aneurysm. Jim has now become a carer due to Eurwen’s memory loss. The piece shows their well-traveled life in the Air force, it reflects upon their journey together up until the present day where Jim explains how he deals with Eurwen’s diagnosis.

Lost for Words:

Miriam’s story reflects on how her present environment has affected her at a very transitional time. Following her second stroke her living conditions changed dramatically, from owning her own home on a small holding to being partly dependent in a rented house. The film captures Miriam’s frustrations with her memory loss but also her creative ability as a writer and a poet with future aspirations of buying her own house and having the inspiration to write again.