Beyond words | 2024 | 19 min
How can we make meaningful contact after language fails us? In this short film, Genetic Choir singers make contact with elderly living with dementia through improvised sound.

The singers of the Genetic Choir Ensemble visit nursing homes and interact with residents living with dementia. The improvising singers show great sensitivity to the residents, who are at times extremely vulnerable. By listening and improvising with sound, rhythm, touch and melody, the singers seek connection with the elderly.
Moments of melancholy and cheerfulness go hand in hand in this short, black and white documentary that shows what singing can do when other forms of communication have been lost.

Camera Jelle Dijkstra | Additional camera Roel van ’t Hof | Sound recordist Jillis Schriel, Bouwe Mulder | Director Kim Brand | Editor Ralf Verbeek NCE | Sound design KlevR sound design | Colour grading Amator, Michiel Rummens | Finishing Jan Jaap Kuipers | Title design Michel Wijdemans | Subtitles Invision 

Special Thanks to 
Everyone from the Flevohuis/zorggroep Amsterdam Oost
All STEM&LUISTER singers and session leaders
This film was made possible with:
AFK (Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst)
HSHB