The British documentary filmmaker Adam Curtis once said, “Documentaries shouldn’t just reflect the world: they should try and explain why reality is like it is.” If that’s the case, then two recent documentaries featuring older adults reveal a duality of what aging is like in this day and age. On the one hand, there are older adults who take on challenges and explore alternative passions and possibilities despite (or perhaps because of) advancing age. They are beginning new careers, diving into activities long dreamed of, or reaching out to connect with their communities, both young and old. On the other hand are older adults who have committed to a more “typical” path, entering retirement communities, finding hobbies to fill their days, and settling into routines of leisure and comfort to take them into the sunset- or at least, that’s their expectation. There’s no right or wrong way to lead your life in your later years but for many of us, finding the right path is in itself a fascinating journey- and it makes for a good documentary as well!

First, consider Light Years, a film made several years ago but now garnering attention. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Claire Marie Panke, Light Years explores the stories of 3 older adults, Paul Dillion, Diane (Dee) Volz, and Anita Velez-Mitchell, as they explore creative endeavors that defy typical aging stereotypes. Dillon, the father of actors Matt and Kevin Dillon, takes up painting, mentoring, and coaching after a business career. Volz, a writer and professor, explores her life-long passion for African drum dancing. And Velez-Mitchell, who passed away at the age of 99 in 2015, continued her lifelong career in performance while celebrating her Puerto Rican heritage. Told with humor and compassion, their stories reflect one reality of aging in today’s world: that you can thrive, with vigor and passion, even in your later years. Fortunately, the film is available for free online viewing for the next few days (until February 1st) courtesy of Encore.org, the not-for-profit devoted to bridging intergenerational divides. To find out how to watch Light Years, grab your popcorn and click here. And watch the trailer for the movie by clicking here.

An alternative view can be seen in the new documentary Some Kind Of Heaven, which is currently streaming on platforms including Apple and Amazon. In his first feature debut, the young filmmaker Lance Oppenheim, explores the lives of several residents of The Villages, the largest retirement community in the United States, with over 130,000 residents on its central Florida campus. Billed as “The Disneyland for Retirees,” there’s a club or group for anything imaginable at The Villages, from synchronized golf cart driving to cheerleading, all with the purpose of allowing residents to engage in any activity they can possibly think of. Clearly, many residents are living out their dream retirement and loving the life of leisure. The film (a New York Times Critic’s Pick), however, pulls back the curtain on the fantasy and dives into the lives of several residents who find that life at The Villages does not quite live up to their expectations of what retirement community living would be. While we see images of boomers living and loving in the Florida sun, we also see disillusionment and dismay at what life as a senior citizen can become. As New York Times critic Ben Kenisberg explains, the documentary shows “unexpected empathy for people who have cocooned themselves from the outside world, only to confront its headaches anyway.” To see the trailer for this peek at the reality of retirement community living, click your remote here.