Come Talk To ME follows Parkinson's disease (PD) activist Jackie Hunt Christensen, her husband Paul Christensen, their two sons, and a diverse group of friends with PD. Their stories reflect on the many types of communication that are necessary to participate fully in relationships as the disease progresses.
In a groundbreaking approach, Jackie uses artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate her voice as it sounded two years after her diagnosis in 1998 but before the disease had noticeably impacted her speech. This AI-generated voice, dubbed "JHC2K," asks questions written by Jackie's present-day self and also serves as the film's narrator.
The documentary offers an intimate look at Jackie and Paul's journey, including reflections from their two now-grown sons on how 28 years of Parkinson's have shaped their family dynamic. It also captures Jackie's behind-the-scenes efforts to produce the film, including a trip to an international summit for Parkinson's support group leaders in Austin, Texas, where she and Paul conducted interviews.
Throughout the production, Jackie and Paul face new challenges, but Jackie remains deeply committed to completing the film and raising awareness about how Parkinson's impacts communication and relationships, particularly affecting care partners.
The filmmakers are especially eager for the film to be viewed in settings that allow post-screening discussions, such as film festivals and community-hosted screenings. "I showed [Come Talk To ME] to a group of 23. Every person in the room shared that it was relevant in their life. Everyone should see this," said screening host Kari Kielblock.
Viewer Marna Anderson described the film as, "a realistic and beautiful look at a family who is learning to love more deeply through a painful and difficult disease. It also provided excellent information and resources for viewers."
Screening Details:
Come Talk TO ME screens at 12 pm on October 24 at Edina Mann Theatre (3911 W. 50th St.
Edina, MN 55424) as part of the Twin Cities Film Fest, which runs Oct 15-24. The Twin Cities Film Fest is headquartered at Marcus West End Cinema, 1625 Park Place Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416.
Anyone interested in hosting a screening of Come Talk To ME can do so directly through the film's Kinema page. Prospective hosts can also contact the film's director: [email protected]
Visit the film's website to learn more about the film, find Parkinson's disease resources as well as find information about hosting a screening: cometalktomefilm.com
About the Filmmakers
Producer Jackie Hunt Christensen became a Parkinson's disease activist when she was diagnosed with the disease. She has published two guide books on the disease, The First Year---Parkinson's Disease: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (2005) and Life With a Battery-Operated Brain: A Patient's Guide to Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Parkinson's Disease (2009).
At the time she was diagnosed at 34, Jackie was Co-Director of the Food and Health program at the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as a co-founder and Co-Director of Health Care Without Harm (HCWH): The Campaign for Environmentally Responsible Health Care. She continued working for both organizations until June 2004, when, at age 40, her PD symptoms forced her to leave her jobs and apply for disability benefits.
Director Deacon Warner is a documentary filmmaker and youth media instructor. He has been teaching media arts since 2008. As an independent filmmaker, Deacon has directed numerous short documentaries including Bee-Sharp Honeybee, Literacy for Freedom: Empowering Black Boys in MN and Every Day Is a Parade. Deacon's first feature documentary, The Co-op Wars, premiered at the Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival in 2021.
SOURCE COME TALK TO ME LLC
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