BLUEBERRIES | An Alzheimer's short film by West Givens

A short film inspired by Alzheimer’s, family, and living in the moment.
When all hope seems lost, a caring son takes his mother and grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s, to a blueberry field to connect the present and the past.
From the director:
Blueberries is an honest depiction of how Alzheimer’s disease changes a family. It's inspired by my real-life experience of witnessing my mother take care of my Alzheimer’s-ridden grandmother. This debilitating disease has taught my family to cherish every moment, even those we forget. I wrote this film to show how Alzheimer's can rip a family apart but also bring it back together.
About the director:
West Givens is a writer, director, and producer based in Atlanta, GA. Born into a family of artists in Senatobia, Mississippi, his interest in art and filmmaking developed at an early age. While honing his craft in film school at Savannah College of Art and Design, he recognized an absence of organizations that focused on independent work. To fill this gap, West founded Tungsten Originals, a multi-media production company that celebrates independent filmmakers. West has a passion for telling honest and down-to-earth stories. His work showcases an acute attention to detail and immense respect for the storytelling process.
Credits:
Writer/Director: West Givens
Producers: Raegan Levan and West Givens
Executive Producers: Lei White, Catherine Cash, Gina Sandgren, and Richard Schrimp
Actor “Will”: Walker Cody
Actor “Casey”: Dorene Robinson
Actor “Nana”: Pepi Streiff
Director of Photography/Colorist: Joe Russ
Production Designer: Jordan Kamauoha
Editor: Devon Solwold
Composer: Warren Givens
Casting Director: Aidan Casey
Sound Designer and Re-Recording Mixer: Lily Adams
1st AD: Dylan DeVries
Script Supervisor: Kelsey Kline
1st AC: George Harsanyi
Gaffer: Seth Cunningham
Sound Mixer: Sydney Holcomb
Set Photographer: Hunter Hill
Set Videographer: J. Hun-En Joswick
Production Assistant: Hannah Whitney
Music Editor: Carson Thielen
Foley Engineer: Oddy Litlabo
Foley Artists: Hyo Kim and HyunWoo Kim
Visual Effects Artist: Miranda Leighr
Production Company: Tungsten Originals
About Tungsten:
Tungsten Originals creates hand-crafted cinema from the next generation of filmmakers. Our podcast bridges the gap between indie filmmaking and Hollywood by interviewing filmmakers, from upcoming creators to established professionals.
Connect with us:
Instagram: / tungstenoriginals
Twitter: / tngstenoriginal​
Facebook: / tungstenoriginals
TikTok: / tungstenoriginals
#shortfilm #indiefilmmaking

[@iodaspark]

May the memories live on...

[@alsimpson1659]

Beautiful.

[@tebelshaw9486]

Whenever we went blueberry picking, we always had trouble knowing when to stop. As we walked out of the fields, we would see another beautiful berry, and say, "Just one more."

[@sheiladesoysa7112]

A perfect message of love and caring.

[@Momabear1]

The memory care unit at this private homecare was like mental ward! I worked there one night and injured my back. It was the worst smelled place with all of these elders. Sad...I rather die than loose my mind 8n America!

[@celydolot2530]

Nice short film. Thank you.

[@craiggarrett3124]

Thank you for something so simple yet elegant, despite the undertones of a complicated life. It's always about the BLUEBERRIES, I say!! 😃🙏

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@siobhansmum]

Thank you for this exquisitely crafted film, sweetness in the blueberry patch. More like this, please Jeanne Cronin

[@tungstenoriginals]

There's definitely more to come ❤

[@ndobbins58]

Well done. Beautiful!! Thank you

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for watching!

[@ndobbins58]

@@tungstenoriginals my pleasure

[@kathleenwildman9427]

This moved me to tears. I am caregiver to my mother, who has dementia. We try to find beautiful moments in each day. A lovely poignant film.

[@tungstenoriginals]

We're so sorry to hear how Alzheimer's has affected you and your family. There are beautiful moments in every day, even when they may be hard to find. ❤

[@nickiehartmusic]

Lovely film, heartwarming, yet tinged with sadness. Great acting.

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@barbaras676]

Thank you for making a film respecting and honoring the life of a woman who struggled with Alzheimer's. It was a beautiful tribute to her. My dad passed from dementia in 2021 and my mom cared for him until the end. It was so sad to see their interactions become like mother and child instead of wife and husband, but he loved her so much...family was everything to him. Such a sad way to spend one's "golden years". The music was beautiful, and the part at the end where she called him Frank was so touching.

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for your kind comment and for sharing your story. We're sorry to hear how Alzheimer's has affected you and your family. Family was also everything to Peggy, who inspired this film. We hope you have memories of your father that you can cherish forever. ❤

[@TheBond-zx1rc]

Super touching and bittersweet.

[@Melindaeeyore1966]

I remember when, in my grandma's eyes, I became my mother and my daughter became me. She's say, "Oh Sandee, why didn't you bring Mindi with you?", when I'd go by myself. It broke my heart.

[@phabulous1614]

What a sweet story. Reminds me of my grandmother. I started to hear, learn stories of her past that I never knew about. She would often say, from her assisted living home: “can I go home with you?” I miss her so much. 👵🏽😘

[@beexum]

Beautifully done, bravo!

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you!

[@John-gj9db]

This is really well done. Thank you for sharing it

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for watching!

[@julieshaw4142]

Very touching, thank you ..........

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for watching!

[@sajhaeden8021]

Beautiful. Masterfully done

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for watching!

[@michaeljosephdimaano2802]

That's wholesome.

[@jeankroeber2481]

Thank you so much. I felt privileged to see this very moving film, each person so resolutely played. You made my day!

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Your comments mean a lot.

[@jeankroeber2481]

@@tungstenoriginals I have sent your wonderful film on to a few of my friends...they all concur how poignant, unforgettable it is.

[@ozdigg9254]

Beautiful. Thank you ♥

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for watching!!

[@renatemross2253]

Beautiful ❤

[@lindadial7177]

Beautifully written and filmed!!! What a wonderful way to use your education from SCAD !!!! My son also attended SCAD for 5 years beginning in 1989 and got his Masters Degree in Architecture ! He also has used his education from SCAD in doing his dream occupation of designing churches, etc.. He met his wife (who was in the Interior Design program) at SCAD and they were married in 1992 and have given me the privilege of being Nana to 3 wonderful, amazing grandchildren!!! This video was very endearing showing how your Nana, your mother and you dealt with Alzheimer’s disease!!! Thank you for sharing a small but powerful glimpse into your lives and the love you shared in this much needed inspirational video. I will be saving it to my Playlist and Sharing it with loved ones and friends!!!😊 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for watching!!

[@reneemiriklis6425]

❤

[@melaniepoulton6738]

What a beautiful film. A topic that many of us can deeply relate too as our parents age and their minds move from the future to the past. Thank you.

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you so much for watching and for the kind words!

[@tungstenoriginals]

Alzheimer's is definitely an incredibly sad disease. We hope you have happy memories with her that you can cherish forever. ❤

[@violetavillasenor8672]

So endearing and touching! Thx Cheers from Rome!

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for watching!

[@salihanazanzadil3457]

❤ ne güzel

[@NaomiDelightSpirit]

Love is Love ❤🙏❤

[@peggymcd4939]

Thank you 🫐

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for watching ❤

[@mitzimeyer2928]

This is such an amazing short film and completely my experience with my mom. 😢

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you for the kind words. We're sorry to hear how Alzheimer's has impacted your family. We hope you have some happy memories with your mother. ❤

[@mhiguelhorta]

Beautiful film!

[@tungstenoriginals]

Thank you!

[@vondabyers9425]

Part of life for some. Others are totally oriented til death

[@nomada6789]

Lo triste de esta enfermedad es que no recuerdan a sus seres queridos 💔💔💔💔💔

[@tiahuggins]

My mother had dementia. This made me cry.

[@tungstenoriginals]

We're so sorry to hear how Alzheimer's has affected you and your family. We hope our film brought some level of comfort. ❤

[@sauletto1]

Same...

[@sweetpeaqueen1788]

HONESTLY. I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT DEMENTIA. AFTER 5 yrs of living with a person with sever parkensons and Parkensons dementia. what a night mare it was all I could do do keep my sanity.

[@sophiagregory2715]

❤