National Gallery to screen award-winning Irish documentary about dementia

Asbestos at work in the film 'Don't Forget to Remember' which examines his mother's experience with Alzheimer’s disease and his creative response to her loss of memory and identity.

An award-winning Irish documentary on dementia is being screened at the National Gallery of Ireland on Thursday as part of the annual First Fortnight mental health festival.

Don't Forget to Remember centres on artist Asbestos, his mother's experience with Alzheimer’s disease and his creative response to her loss of memory and identity.

When the film first screened in cinemas last year, the Irish Examiner said: “By turns terrifying, uplifting, and defiantly optimistic, Don’t Forget to Remember is a haunting experience.” 

The special screening will be followed by a panel discussion between Asbestos and director Ross Killeen.

In the film, the artist’s mother Helena is followed through conversations and art, including a heart-breaking moment when it becomes clear Helena can’t even remember the word for ‘mother’. Filmed conversations between her and her husband show the progression of the disease.

“This is going to be true and false,” Asbestos says early in the film. He added: “The art side of my life has suddenly become a form of therapy but this isn’t about me, it’s about somebody else.” 

Mr Killen’s mother, Patricia, also passed away in 2019 having lived with dementia.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner last September, he said that one aim of the documentary “was to really give Asbestos’s mother Helena a strong voice in the film”.

“Because people have dementia, Alzheimer's, they can be very quickly forgotten. To give Helena a strong voice in the film was really important to celebrate her life and her memories and to reclaim them.” 

The documentary won the audience award at DIFF (Dublin International Film Festival) and had its international premiere at the Sheffield Documentary Festival.

The screening at the National Gallery is the first of a series of public events at the gallery exploring dementia through art.

First Fortnight events continue around the country including in Cork, Kerry and Limerick until January 18. More details on other First Fortnight events are on their website and social media platforms.

Tickets for Don’t Forget to Remember can be booked on the National Gallery of Ireland website.