Viggo Mortensen talks family, dementia and the polarization of America for his latest film, Falling
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- Опубликовано: 20 сен 2024
- Viggo Mortensen adds to his résumé of actor, poet, painter, and musician, with the release of FALLING, his 2020 directorial debut about the legacy of dementia and family bonds. In this exclusive interview with NOWNESS creative director Bunny Kinney, Mortensen speaks about the personal experiences that inspired his latest film.
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FALLING is a powerful drama about a father and son relationship on the brink of collapse. Hollywood giant Lance Henriksen (Alien, The Terminator) plays Willis, a homophobic farmer who is forced to live with his gay son. Willis has early-stage dementia, which makes running the farm on his own increasingly difficult. So John (Viggo Mortensen) brings him to stay at his California home so that he and his sister Sarah (Laura Linney) might help him find a place closer to the family. Unfortunately, their best intentions ultimately run up against Willis’ adamant refusal to change his way of life.
Viggo Mortensen is one of the most in-demand actors of his generation. After winning hearts and minds with his valiant portrayal of Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, he has received numerous Oscar and BAFTA nominations for his performances in Green Book, Captain Fantastic, and Eastern Promises, to name a few.
Shot and edited by Antonio Rui Ribeiro
Produced by Modern Films
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I remember the first time I realised my mother no longer recognised me. She had already been diagnosed with Dementia and at the grand old age of 88 was in a home with 24 hour care. On this particular visit we had been chatting in the garden for about half an hour when she looked at me and said “you must meet my Joy, she’s a lovely girl, you’d really like her” I corrected her, “I’m Joy mum” The way she looked at me, so intently searching my face, trying so hard to remember - and for a minute she did, apologising for being so silly. But it didn’t last and I stopped correcting her and allowed her to believe she was telling a stranger about her amazing daughter and how much she loved her. Sharing this has brought me to tears as would often happen on the drive home after a visit. My inspirational mother, Lily, passed away last year and during my last visit with her, when conversation was no longer possible I sat and listened to her ramblings smiling and laughing when I could see her expression change to show she had just said something funny and we laughed about what I don’t know but I’m so glad I’d learned to adapt to my mother’s way of thinking rather than wasting time trying to make her understand mine. Miss you mum xx
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us all 💔 There's been so many heartbreaking yet insightful comments about living and loving people who suffer from dementia.
My mother in law had dementia. My sister in law talked to her every night but lived 2,000 miles away and came out to see her. My mother in law didn’t recognize her at all. My sister in law ended up talking to her on the phone, in the same room, of the care facility. They talked just as they always did.
This reminds me of the last time I visited my mother. She can't really speak very well anymore but she looked at me, deep in my eyes and said "I was thinking of you and here you are." and for a brief moment my mom and I connected again.
Same here but not when she alzheimer's I always agreed. I had to or she would physically or mentally abuse me. Believe it or not I'm glad she was so hard on me and had no problem with her "truth" I learned what no to do and became extremely successful at spiritual healing and financial abundance. The fight to get away and live with peace inside. Love myself. Feel sorry for her. She did horrible mean things to me, jealous. They talk about judgement day when you die, if it is true, hers will be pretty awful.
This made me cry. My mom is in the middle of dementia. Its a horrible disease. The psycho terror she does. Its tragic. Im scared of the day she wont recognize me.
Mr. Mortensen continues to surprise me with his depth, intelligence, and creativity.
He's an artist rather than a celebrity. Admirable man.
@@8ofwands300 I second that.
His compassion is limitless and, at times, brings me to tears. As in this subject. Viggo is a treasure. We can learn so much from him. Thank you Viggo for sharing your thoughts.
Throughout the yrs., I’ve watched every Viggo movie. I pay no attention to R vs L politics. Tho put Clooney (star power & real $ makes Drumpf cower) & Viggo on ticket? Win. Finally.
He bought Arwen's horse for the horse wrangler who worked with that horse on Lord of the Rings. He is a kind, generous, and understanding man.
Hidalgo too.
And there's this too: ruclips.net/video/PkJUuoGHA6I/видео.html
rudy vickery pro-birth does not make one pro-life
rudy vickery you are too “kind”
@@josietetreault540 Neither does being pro-choice necessarily make one pro-universal-unconditional-merciful-lovingkindness.
This was really hard to watch. I'm 64 now and took care of my parents the last 5 years of their lives. They moved from Atlanta to live with me in Connecticut. It destroyed my health, my business and my life. They both passed away about 8 years ago. Did I do it perfectly? Not at all. I keep telling myself that I did the best I could. Would I do things differently had I to do it over? I'd like to think so - but I still don't know how I could have done it right, you just try to do the best you can. The family that lived closest to and had the most benefit from in Atlanta, turned their back to them when it got hard. I saw the hurt of rejection, I to this day - even though I still have not recovered and most likely never will - I could not live with myself with a memory that I turned away from them in the times they needed someone the most. As jarring and uncomfortable as this movie - and story - seems to be, You can't possibly know the horror it is to live through something like this. And it's not just a horror for the caregiver family member - it is for the parent that has dementia too. Thank YOU Viggo and all the others that helped bring this into the light. I fear that with technology extending longevity and American's having poor health habits and diets, we will be seeing more and more of this.
I have been in a similar situation with my mother. It is hard, so hard, and has taken years off my life. Yet I could not do otherwise. And the years of me caring for my mother as she went through stages of anger, paranoia, violence, illness, fear, helplessness, then finally peace and love - it has healed the fractious and difficult relationship we always had. She was a difficult mother and very controlling. So, I am eternally grateful for the love on her part and the healing on mine. You see, this has been the time when she has loved me without condition, just purely and completely. And that is worth a few years of my life.
Dear friends -- just know that you are not alone in these struggles. And let's try to value our own lives and 'the present moment' too (which we know from all these struggles with out of control things is a place of living and refuge at times -- valuing our lives, especially after 'they ' have passed. For we too are human and impermanent. Very best wishes and real acknowledgment to all caregivers - imperfect but truly making a sacrifice for the sake of love and loyalty, through the very real peaks and values and the tenacity it takes.
Well Done Sir!
❤️❤️❤️
1
An underated actor, so unassuming. I loved him in "A History of Violence." I have never seen a bad role he has performed.
Agree- he is enormously talented.
Also in The Road. But he will always be my favorite King of Gondor.
Eastern Promises
I love him more in The Lord Of The Rings
Just because he is not in the billion dollar hollywood films does not mean he is underrated. He chooses roles that interest him and performs them to the perfection. What else can you ask from an actor?
I could hear Viggo speak forever...Such a healing voice...So pleasant to hear him talk so blissfully peacefully and at the same time in such a precise insightful way.
I can feel his Argentinian background in his voice. Very beautiful, soothing and sexy.
Thanks to Viggo for this. I don't think I can watch Falling. I am eternally grateful that my mother, who has dementia and is now in an excellent facility, does NOT have the agitation or aggression, or anger. I wasn't aware Viggo has had so many family members with dementia.
Please remember what he said, especially if you are a caregiver: it is difficult for them if you correct them, because it causes them to suffer cognitive dissonance. Feel the pain of watching them disappear, face it in yourself, and find the strength to NOT correct them. The correction is you resisting the loss of your loved one. It is not for them.
Agree. When my mom, who has Alzheimer's, used to ask (when she could still talk) where some deceased relative or friend was, I just told her they were napping. And I would listen to her tell the same stories a hundred times and try to react as if it was the first time I'd heard them, just because I loved her and didn't want to hurt her feelings.
I love hearing him speak. Unpretentious and profound.
The polar opposite of the interviewer, then.
@@MiaogisTeas I don't find any problem with the interviewer. He gives Viggo basic and straightforward questions to work with and let's him elaborate.
"Unpretentious" ? 🤡
@@elingrome5853 Why are you here exactly? Find something better to do with your time.
@@elingrome5853 Are you having difficulty with the word?
Viggo Mortensen is one of the most creative, talented, amazing range, and underrated actor. From Hidalgo, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, G.I. Jane, Lord of the Rings, Appaloosa, The Road, Captain Fantastic and Green Book are all Oscar worthy performances. One of my favorites actors of all time. I hope Viggo is celebrated, acknowledged and finally wins an Oscar.
Never underrated.
Dementia took my dad two months ago. I don’t know how I knew, instinctively maybe, but I happily listened to the same stories my dad told me and looked at the same photos over and over. I never complained because I knew it was what he was able to remember and it brought him joy. In the last several months, he couldn’t even remember those. I never corrected him about things or people he spoke about even when he asked me if I had ever met Teena, my mom. It was like a stab to the my heart but I just choked back my tears and said yes, I met her and yes, she was a wonderful. Thank you for doing this film. I will be sure to watch! 🙏🏼❤️
Your story brought tears to my eyes.
Sorry for you loss.
That broke my heart, I'm so sorry for your loss. I pray time will give you comfort.
I was astounded at his observation that the caregivers are the confused. It's so true. "Confusion" is too simplistic a term to apply to Alzheimer patients. But those family members who interact with them can sometimes become hopelessly confused as to how to relate and communicate. I remember that confusion.
I learned so much from my father in the last few years of his life. I loved to listen. His heart and mind was still full of memories but they came and went on his terms. We did a lot of reflecting together.
Ages ago I worked with someone who was slowly surrendering to Alzheimer. He was my boss though. It was a nightmare of confusion for me. As funny it may sound, since he was my superior, I really cared for him because he had always been a good man to me and a responsible boss. His family took a long time to accept he was ill and they wouldn't believe his weird attitudes at the office I used to inform them about . At the end of it, when he forcibly had to retire, I was a mess.: exhausted confused tired and scared to death for him and for me because in the end of his service the poor man had realized he was getting worse and worse. And turned to violent reactions and verbal abuse whenever he was confused about anything.
The hardest part of taking care of my mother was learning to lie to her. She wasn’t just my mother, she had always been my closest friend. To find myself in a position where I had to lie was intolerable but it was the only thing to be done. Reality was whatever she believed it to be so trying to explain to her “the truth” was a waste of effort. I was very blessed to have had three years with her, from when she became like a four year old to when she was like a 12 to 18 month old. She would tell me things that had happened in her “present” that had actually happened 70 or more years earlier. She would be very indignant about things her parents (my grandparents) had done. Taking care of her was a full time job but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
@@deborahmerkerson1145 i don't believe it to be lieing, that is their truth, you are just going along with it, a jumble of past memories
But.....ANOTHER WAY TO UNDERSTAND IT.....
They are Seeing other
Dimensions They are
Seeing things actually more clearly if you think about it. The Veil lifts for them. They are FINALLY
BELIEVING IN THE SPIRIT
WORLD. Released from this MATRIX.
DR. DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING.
PEOPLE HAVE TO MOVE AWAY FROM the SEEING IS BELIEVING B.S.
He is such an amazing person to listen too, always well spoken and interesting......
Yes unfortunately speaking to a nodding dog type ‘interviewer’
@@susannahemingway4637 an amazing interview by someone who knew how to , not get in the way . very rare sensitivity . respect for Viggo . great interview .
@@TimMaloneyNMactor Absolutely agree. Great observation and very true Tim.
Viggo Mortensen is one of the first intelligent person to absolutely capture his own experience with dementia in a way that is extremely creative and delves deep into the consciousness of a father caught in angst between his past, present and a future that may be comprised outside of a family setting only to be misconstrued in an institution. Brave endeavour, Viggo Mortensen, sir! ♥️
Great interviewer cos Viggo is not interrupted
Viggo should get an Oscar.
Viggo Mortensen has always been a great actor. I wish him continued success.
Definitely seeing this film. Alzheimer's took my dad, took my husband's dad, is taking my husband's mother, and is now taking my husband.
I am sorry. ❤ When you need help, ask for it. There is help and you are not alone.
My heart aches for you at this time. Dementia took my dad two months ago. I feel your pain. 🙏🏼❤️
May God be with you on this journey.
I'm soo sorry to hear you're going through all of that again, it must be soo incredibly difficult.
Could I please be soo bold and ask you a question? With my father's dementia he's losing confidence in some of the things he knows how to do. It could be big or small. It's difficult to not be impatient with him at times, because my first thought is he's taking the mick. Did you experience this? Like he'll sort of check in with me on the procedure to wash the dishes - he taught me how to wash the dishes and also has a history of one upmanship. I know it's the dementia, I guess I just want to know if someone else saw that and at what "stage" this happens.
cut refined carbs and sugar out of your diet while you have time.
I started working in a special care unit as an RCA while I was still in school for nursing. The first few months were very stressful and challenging, as I knew about dementia and Alzheimer’s in theory but had never worked with anyone that had it. Some of the residents would get aggressive, and it scared me since I am tiny. But, the more I worked with people suffering from dementia/Alzheimer’s and other issues, I learned what ticked them off, what made them laugh, how to diffuse the situation and with that my fear went away. The most difficult residents became some of my favourites. I also learned that sometimes it’s better to go with what they are saying then to orient them as it can traumatize them in the moment.
Your comment was extremely interesting and really gave me hope. Great input!
Very valuable insights, thank you. So grateful that you were there for them.
You are a blessing . . .
I, too worked with dementia and psych patients for much of my nursing career. The joy of winning the trust and love of some of the very ‘worst’ patients was incredibly rewarding; to the both of us. I did a lot of skilled nursing but it just did not have the heart that working with these challenging and wonderful people had. You learn how to think on your feet real quick!!
Viggo is definitely aging very well.
Not bad when you think he's a couple of hundred years old😁
The way he speaks - his voice, tone, timbre - are sexy as hell.
He has not aged well. He looks washed out from drinking
@@jsavak99 And you know that because you've been drinking with him?
@@claresailing oh man. Sorry I criticized your hero . He looks like on drugs.
It was gut wrenching & raw. Viggo is one of my most favorite actors. This was outstanding acting on everyone's part. The father's repressed anger release in his son's arms and the drastic change in the father's demeanor after the son held him tight and stayed with him until he was finished was cathartic. A movie like this can change people's lives for the better. It is redeeming. Viggo picks movies about dealing with racism, dementia, & issues that are difficult to deal with and sets a prime example for the human race as a whole. He deserves a humanitarian award for his work.❤❤❤
I would guess he’s aware that he’s at high risk of dementia with his family history on both sides. I met a doc who specialized in dementia because both his parents had it. It’s amazing how dementia can propel us to do great things. I look forward to seeing this film. Great conversation! TY
Viggo is one of the great actors that dosen't get enough acclamation for his outstanding ability as an actor. And he is genuinely a wonderful human being. Can't wait to see the movie, great cast of actors!
Always had a feeling Viggo Mortensen was very intelligent and articulate, with genuine empathy instead of the “I give to charities” Hollywood variety …this pretty much proves it.
Such a beautiful human being, Viggo. I would listen to you for ever.
I hope that Falling does well. We all will face this situation sometime in our lives. My dad had Alzheimer’s and my Mom now has dementia. It’s been terribly difficult to see a parent deteriorating yet it’s a wonderful learning lesson for the caretaker. Patience in all things. In your interactions with them , lead with kindness. If they are “time traveling” just go with it. And always say “Yes”. 🙏🏼
Being a nurse, the one thing I feared was that my parents would get dementia and I would have to care for them alone. I had cared for dementia patients all through my working life and believe me it is never easy. To love them while they are screaming, trying to hurt you, ranting through the nite, and care for all their needs, is a very difficult task. The caregiver deserves to be showered with riches. Luckily my parents didn't have to go through that. I secretly sighed with relief. I am 70, I am paranoid and check for it regularly.
Viggo Mortensen seems like he would be a fascinating person to sit down and have a conversation with. Great interview, and I plan on watching this movie!
"The outbreak of polarization is as serious a threat as covid-19, and it will last longer." 10:30
meh... more coffee cup moral platitudes from a Hollywood millionaire...
No, in Scandinavia we believe in unity and equality.
@@ellengran6814 right ask the srilankans.
@@elingrome5853 His father was a rancher, so he was hardly born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Also a fairly inciteful comment...(his choice to set the film during obamas first term and the reasons he gave as too why show he's got way more going on in his head than the average hollywood a-lister)
@@elingrome5853 After an insurrection lead by the president there's no way this can be considered "coffee cup platitudes" anymore. One could even call it incite or foreshadowing. I'd say he hit the nail on the head.
Meanwhile the right is more concerned about a potato not having a gender, minorities coming to steal your jobs and infect you and keeping poor people from being able to support themselves and earn a livable wage. "Be Scared, Ignorant, gullible and most of all racist." (according to fox news and the like)
I'll watch this film someday, but too soon. Still trying to forgive myself for being that "confused daughter" trying to orient my mother to reality. The merciful thing was 10 minutes after I mishandled a situation, she would say, "Honey, what do you want for your birthday?"
Thank you, Mr. Mortensen, for making this film and shedding light on dementia and how it affects the individual and the family.
One of my absolute favorite actors. He picks the best parts. The Road was one of his best performances and hardly anyone saw it.
It was released around Christmas, kind of a depressing film at that time of year
I know this comments old but in regards to The Road I watched that movie and absolutely loved it. It left such an impression the whole end of the world apocalypse stuff has been done to death but The Road was so different it really hit hard mostly because of Viggo's acting. I tried to watch it again but I couldn't do it because it really did leave such an image in my mind first time around I couldn't deal with the bleak/harshness again. But I 100% recommend the movie to everyone (also the book if you find the movie to light hearted!)
@@amy5974 I felt the same! It actually pushed me to become a prepper. At some point this world is going to come apart. I really feel it now. God bless 🙏🙏🙏
Great interview! I love how the interviewer let the Viggo speak without interruption.
In one seen in The Lord Of The Rings where he kicked a helmet out of frustration when he thought the Hobbits were dead, he actually broke his toe in that scenr. He was in real pain when he screamed but kept on acting. No one knew his scream was real. A great actor he is!
I watched a film recently with Viggo : Green Book, I can recommend this, it is superb and Viggo is brilliant. Vascular dementia, my father died with this, he did not know where he was or who anyone was, it had funny moments (humour helps) but it is truly the destruction of a human being. All the best.
I admire the strength of you and your father. May he rest in peace.
Much love to both of you❤
I loved his comment, “ I never want to be caught acting.” He is the embodiment of every character he’s ever put on that screen. An amazing actor who takes his craft seriously.
Dad had vascular dementia and fought it all the way. He finally accepted it and stopped eating. Mum succumbed to dementia a few years later. Tried to hide it. Her second husband couldn’t cope and she was admitted to hospital, very undernourished and ill. Luckily she was admitted into a lovely nursing home where she was looked after so well. We were very lucky and she passed away aged 90. I couldn’t get back to Aus because of Covid restrictions for her funeral.
Whoa, can't wait to see this, I'm young and diagnosed with Dementia, and have always been labeled with "other" in a lot of different ways, love Viggo!!
An excellent, honest and illuminating conversation about the difficult realities of ageing, told by an inspiring and brilliant actor/director and human being.
I would listen to this man read a dictionary with the utmost captivation and interest. He really is a king among men.
My dad never realized he was losing it and I never confronted him with it, he died of a heart attack before it got so bad I couldn’t smooth things over.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have been caregiver to 3 family dementia patients. You always play into their view or fantasy and turn it to something pleasant
Viggo looks like a more handsome version och my dad the more he ages. Lost dad to cancer a few years back at 64 and the last time I saw him at the hospital he was all delirious and frail, it was tough but at least he knew who I was. I can't imagine the heartbreak of not being recognised by your own parent, makes me cry just thinking about it. 😭
The movie is a real masterpiece. A story of cruelty and tenderness, loveless anger and depressive helplessness in ill old age and a story of a forgiving via a good outburst of rage that I had been waiting for in the run. It moved me to tears. Bravo Viggo.
Love this man. Great human being and a great actor....you should hear him speak Spanish.. que hello.
He was primarily raised in South America....Argentina
So much respect for this incredible actor. I fell in love with him right from the first time that I saw him.
Namaste, Viggo Mortensen ♥️♥️
My mother had dementia and I took care of her until her last breath not only was it hard it was heartbreaking. The pain of watching my mom who was never perfect and never claimed to be spiraling away was some days more than I could bare. Fortunately my loving husband helped me anyway he could. I never for one minute regret what I did and as for could I have done better? I don't know to this day but I do know I loved her and still miss her more than 15 years latter.
It may be his debut but I already have full confidence that anything Viggo Mortensen directs is going to be amazing. And he acts in it as well which means it will be doubly so. Just the previews practically moved me to tears. Fan of Lance Henriksen also---how can you go wrong? Eagerly looking forward to seeing this movie.
Viggo is a great person as well..his voice is so smooth and sweet, I can listen him speak until i fall asleep his voice is like music to someone's ears..im do happy to have met this guy..what a great guy, very impressed
Dementia is my greatest fear. I am afraid I'm entering the early stages. I pray God will take me before it proceeds too far.
Me as well. I think I’m in beginning stages too.
May god give the both of you the help and live you surely deserve
My grandmother had dementia & i am slowly watching my mom go down the same way. Damn heartbreaking, but it's life.
Viggo is one of my favorites. Not many with his kind of talents. 👏
Such a wonderful artist.
Such an engaging actor always have the sense he gets the everyday people!
He does. I bumped into him getting Cappuccino many years ago. Warm, decent and funny. Beautiful and sensitive. He reminded me of my step-dad. When he said he was from Argentina it clicked. He talked with the same cadence and warmth and had the same mannerisms. He’s one of the good ones. When me too came out I had no doubt he would not be on that list. ❤️😎🔆☕️🔥🎬
Excellent interview. I had no idea how subtle and genuinely reflective he could be.
the reinvention of hyperrealism in films is probably much needed right now. thank you
I took care of a gentleman with Alzheimer's and totally agree that in most cases it's best to not challenge the individuals thinking process so as not to cause conflict. It keeps them from :withdrawing" for fear of embarrassment or just not being able to get carry a normal conversation.
Has the most relaxing voice 😴😴😴
Argentinian tones. Beautiful.
I work with individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's and IT IS DEVASTATING FOR THE FAMILY. YOU HAVE MY EMPATHY. I SEE GRIEVING FAMILIES ALL THE TIME.
Compassion has to start with ourselves; basically ‘judgement’ is pushed outwards but it’s usually some fear/or dislike/uncertainty within us, triggered by someone/thing outside.
We could clear up the ‘mess’ within, or learn to love it. That way, anyone else who is ‘different’ can more easily been seen as ‘ok’; no threat. (Imo) ☺️
Great emotional intelligence displayed here.
Still handsome as ever..Love his movies..never seen one i didnt enjoy!
i LOVE VIGGO . 1 year for Christmas my daughter bought me a poster , His Beautiful eyes , The Prophecy, Hidalgo , Green Book , Lord Of The Rings , pick a movie , any movie ,i Can't wait to see This new movie , i Know it will make me cry , my Grandparents went through this and my mother cared for them , i was in another state and couldn't be there to help her , losing them was the worst thing ,seeing Lance Henricksen & David Cronenberg was like , WHAT ! Yeah , i can't wait to see this !!! He 's The Man
Nice to see Viggio, again 💐
My favorite film was “ Hidalgo “ , about that incredible horse race in the desert ...
Viggio is a very deep person .. 🤲🏻
🎬Best wishes on the new film 🎧
Viggo Mortensen is the best actor in recent memory. Anything he is in is watchable.
I had quite a long journey with my mother and her mental health and subsequent Alzheimer's. However she could love and laugh until the end. I've read that the heart is there even after the mind goes, and I found that to be true. I worked many years with dying people and it was rewarding and difficult as anything worth doing is. the elderly need care and the more people care the better. We fear the aging and dying process but it is going to happen to us all. Peace to you and love.
If I knew more men or even one man like Vigo, maybe I wouldn't dislike men so much. Very smart and interesting.🌹
I absolutely love this man...Viggo is incredible human. Can’t wait to see this film ❤️
This movie looks amazing and i cant wait to see it. Such an amazing cast and i hope there is an Oscar waiting for them and this film! Kudos Mr. Mortensen on your Directorial Debut! Hope there is more to come! PS: Loved you in Lord of the Rings!
Definitely want to see this film. Always liked him as an actor and artist, looking forward too seeing him as a director
wow! He is so incredibly handsome: features are perfection.
It was an incredible blessing both of my parents were intellectually ok up until they died. I was with my Dad the last day of his life and with my Mom most of the last day. It was a privilege.
I work with people with dementia. I learned early to never argue with them. I just go along with whatever they say. If they ask me a question I can’t give them a satisfying answer to, I just say “let me find out about that, and I’ll let you know as soon as I can”.....Getting back to them with an answer isn’t important, because one minute later, they have forgotten all about it. The point is to keep them content in the moment.
I'm going through this with my mother right now :( hardest time in are life's
Me, too. Today is my mom's 82nd birthday. She has lost about 95% of her speech to Alzheimer's. I don't think she remembers who I am all the time, but she knows I'm someone special to her. The only thing she can say now that I can understand is "I love you." It breaks my heart and comforts me at the same time. Fuck dementia in every form.
Looks like a good movie!
Viggo is danish and we are proud of him here!
Repekt Viggo, hele vejen fra
Danmark 🇩🇰🙂
I want to Specially appreciate you for being a big fan. Thanks for your nice comment on my post, it means a lot to me. I want you to send me a direct message via hangouts using my personal email. Also endeavor to add your name to the text so I can know you are the one texting because I don’t reply unnecessary messages.
Hangouts mail: viggopetermortensenlivechat@gmail.com
love you all 💝💝💝.
I am the caregiver mostly for my father in law. I see him struggling to stay him, whole. It breaks my heart but I'm so grateful for the opportunity to love him at this time in his life. I will watch this movie.
Great interview. Both parts so relaxed. It was a pleasure.
Great interview! Thank You! 💓🤗✨
This man is beyond words. I can't understand how someone can be so close to the perfect person - the most well-rounded, heart-felt, gentle and kind, with a cutting intelligence and free mind.
It's unfair for the rest of us haha. I want to know him or experience life as him even just for a day.
Viggo is a terrific actor ans a fine man. My dad had Alzheimer’s so I’d like to see this.
And super smart. He spent some time on a Swedish shrimp trawler writing poetry. I've seen a video of him accepting awards in 7 languages. He's incredible.
@@banjoist123 he owns a publishing company too, Perceval Press!
@@nhmooytis7058 that's him? I've heard of that publisher somehow. This is why I truly hate it when I hear people tell other people not to explore and try new things. We have one life.
@@nhmooytis7058 as an aside, I didn't really want to start my personal pity party again but here I am: with my father's dementia he's losing confidence in things he knows how to do. It could be big or small. It's difficult to not be impatient with him at times, because my first thought is he's taking the mick. Did you experience this? Like he'll sort of check in with me on the procedure to wash the dishes - he taught me how to wash the dishes and also has a history of one upmanship. I know it's the dementia, I guess I just want to know if someone else saw that and at what "stage".
I may ask another lady this too as almost her entire family has experienced it...
@@DeborahWalkerXOXO my dad was in the hospital for tests and went off on the staff, took 3 orderlies to restrain him. So they called me. By the time I got there, he’d calmed down; the nurse said she hadn’t exaggerated on the phone. I said I knew that,p. I marched into his room and read him the riot act. Supposedly you shouldn’t upset them, but I made it clear he needed to behave himself or there would be [unspecified] consequences. I told him the staff was in charge and doing their jobs, and didn’t deserve his antics. He meekly agreed and there were no more incidents of him acting up. Dementia or not, he was still my dad and I knew him well enough to know he had always believed in respecting authority. So I appealed to that. I also made it clear that I was in authority too. That was hard-I’d always been his little girl, for ME to be telling HIM what to do felt backwards, but it had to be done. That said, at some point Alzheimer’s becomes so bad you CAN’T reach them. Who they were is completely erased by the dementia. But by the grace of God my dad had a sudden heart attack (a week after they told me he was healthy as a horse!) and died, so he never reached that point.
Lost my precious dad to Lewy Body Dementia 20 years ago. The pain is unimaginable, it changes you. Now my mom has dementia.
I think it's honorable for children to take care of their parents after they are unable to care for themselves, but it isn't fair to them to have to take care of them. I personally don't want my daughter or granddaughter to take care of me if I become unable to care for myself. I didn't have a child to have va future care giver. I think dementia is cruel torment. Some are blissfully delusional and others become angry and frustrated. It isn't the same for all. I am an advocate for death with dignity. We should be allowed to die when we want if given a diagnosis that is terminal or degenerative. If it's humane to put an animal down due their suffering, we should be able to do the same privalige to human beings. Dr Kevorkian was a wonderful human being. Some called him a murderer, but he only provided the option to die in peace.
I'm a nurse in long term care and I see these people everyday and they are tormented by disease and pain. It seems we are merely profiting off of these people's suffering.
I am entirely with you. Watched my grandmother and mother go through dementia and it was agony. My mom was anxious and frustrated and frightened all the time. I have worked in veterinary offices and just don't understand why we can't choose to die when we know our quality of life will deteriorate to such an extent. My mom was an artist and a reader and she could no longer read or draw. So, so painful. I have just not yet seen any reason to put myself or my sons through that or found a way to justify using up financial resources and my sons' time and energy to preserve me in a state in which I am miserable and need constant care.
I realized with my mother, that I couldn't force her to remember today, or yesterday.. She was in the past, so, I just started talking about the past. Do you remember when we went camping here, or traveled there. What our family did in the past.. Camping and stuff. After that day, I stopped crying when I left her.. We were okay, and so was I.. It was always going to be a bad time, but it made things a little easier.. for the time being... What did my Mom always respond to? Music, and dancing.. And oh my she talked about my father all the time..
This movie is such a wonderful surprise-the acting is not only flawless, it’s invisible. I think Lance set the tone when he said to Viggo, when asked if he would play the role, “I don’t want to get caught acting.”. So, being experienced with dementia, the realness of the characters really tended to startle me when they suddenly relapse. Here is a film that really needed to be made, and it excellently renders what life is like living with dementia in loved ones. Bravo!
Thank you for this intimate interview. I loved the laid back style of the discussion. And, truly appreciated the opportunity to learn about the films inspiration, origins and intimacies. Thank you for bringing warmth, caring and honesty into my home today. enjoy!
I truly enjoyed the movie. He has got so many different talents.
The English language fails me right now, I cannot explain how much a appreciate the depth and beauty of Falling, bravo and kudos Mr Viggo Mortensen.
So profound with his word's. An appropriate title for such a tragic illness....
Know it's been a while since this posted, but think & have always thought that Viggo is just such a beautiful person thru and thru... His truth, honesty & overall integrity always come across with such ease, that you know this is a guy that truly has walked the walk - and you know that because you've been there.
My mother had dementia. I took care of her. I thought I was going to die before she did. That's how hard it is. I got chronic migraine. My sister never helped me, she just took her one day after years of me being ground down, and changed the locks on the house, locking me out. I wasn't paid. She left me some money. I didn't want it. I pissed it away. It's hard to explain, and I regret not buying a house or starting a business or traveling. I did shoot a short film. Couldn't afford to finish- finished 6 years later.
At last honesty integrity and authenticity - just love this - Viggo is phenomenal and changing our conceptual ideas of a very challenging subject - thank you Viggo for your insight love passion and creativity - I love this interview too - it was very relaxing and so much listening which feels rare in interviews...
“ I’m aware of that.” (13:08)
LOL
I could have started running 5 years ago and still i would not have caught up with Viggo Mortensen... the man is so very ahead. 👍
Viggo is amazing actor.
Can't wait to watch this. I know the tears will flow.
Wonderful interview. He has such interesting insights and opinions. I wasn’t aware of this film and now have to look for it.
Look, Mr. Mortensen: I recently mourned the death from dementia of a friend's mother who had been like a mother to me, as well, while I was growing up. Prior to that, a year or two ago, my own mother died from dementia. And I am witnessing, now, the deaths from dementia of one in three of the mothers of my friends, while one on three of my own friends are showing the initial signs of dementia.
I am an MD PhD neurologist/neuroscientist/epidemiologist. So I'm going to share this story and the following information with you, because I admire your work, especially in the Lord of the Rings. ( fyi, my own minireview is that I thought it was a bit over the top with its implication of Gollum cast to look like Hubert Humphrey, of Boromir as JFK, Farimir as Bobby, and Denethor as old Joe Kennedy, Sr. In fact, I thought that that demiplot about the 1968 presidential campaign was superfluous and that it detracted from the movie as a whole. Not to mention the terrible miscasting of Arwen....and that nonsense of Arwen's beicomning somehow mysteriously ill (with Lupus?) as a result of being engaged to Ellesar was just a bunch of movie hooey. .. ...but all that nonsense from the scriptwriter was Not Your Fault. Your performance as Aragorn/Ellesar was magnificent... even though it was really tough to see what Arwen and Ellesar saw in one another, based on that particular script. No matter. Promoting the values of the Tolkein book, itself: loyalty, rejection of evil, protecting the good, protecting the innocent, are what counts in today's world. And you made a wonderful contribution to that effort. It's not often that a movie makes me cry, but the video image of the floods drowning out Sauruman's evil engines, echoing the Old Testiment book of Hosea as quoted by MLK: "Let justice flow down like water" (I think it's Hosea, though it could be Micah, I'd have to check), made me suddenly break out in tears, the first time I saw the movie The Two Towers. In general, the series was really well done and made a wonderful contribution to youth culture by promoting those good values. So I thank you, as a lifelong Tolkien fan.)
Here's the neuroscience factoid I wanted to share with you. Many people of Scandinavian descent carry a gene that is harmless in and of itself, but that causes dementia and death in the context of contemporary American trends called "neuromodulation". The gene is for the enzyme in the liver that helps break down all sorts of compounds, called Cytochrome P 450 2D6. The cytochrome liver genes break down all the toxins we ever meet, and there are thousands of them, all numbered like Canadian zip codes, 1A1, 1A2...1B1, 1B2, ...etc. The enzyme that many people of Scandinavian descent are missing (we get a form that Doesn't Work) is called Cytochrome P450-2D6. Lots of Jewish people happen to carry this normal variant also. And lots of military people. And lots of smart people. And lots of Brains Trust descendants. And quite a few folks of every ethnicity around the world.
If you happen to inherit one or more copies of this nonworking Scandinavian form of the enzyme, then when you encounter drugs and toxins that that enzyme is supposed to break down and get out of your system, those toxins don't break down. They build up and kill you. One of those drug categories are the "neuromodulation" tranquilizers that have become ubiquitous in American and European public spaces. They're intended to "calm" not kill. They're intended to protect property and prevent crimes in public spaces, calming people down so that the Jets and the Sharks don't go and start a rumble when they happen to meet one another while shopping in Walmart. The problem is that if you carry the variant gene for that particular enzyme, 2D6, the drug doesn't calm you. Instead, it makes you sick and kills you. It gives you dementia, quite rapidly. I just got done watching my mum die of that, with not a thing I could do. And now my dad, who carries double copies of the normal, variant CYP450-2D6 gene, is showing signs of dementia. And since I carry double copies, one from mom, one from dad, I get neuroleptic toxicity symptoms every time I try to shop in Walmart, which in my case includes chest pains from a drug-induced heart arrhythmia, as well as the classic acute symptoms of anti-cholinergic toxicity (hot as a hare, blind as a bat, red as a beet, mad as a hatter, dry as a bone, aka, a fever sensation, flushed face, blurry vision, severe thirst, and mental confusion, with symptoms of disinhibition that start to look like Trump talking at the U.N. and going berserk on camera, shouting in front of all those diplomatic people, "Bring it on, Rocket Man!" Only in my case, I get chatty and friendly and teacher-y, as I revert to my baseline internal character, the descendant of a long line of teachers and professors, and as Trump reverts to his own baseline character as a playground bully and pottymouth.)
You can get a blood test for this gene. Ask your doctor and/or your parents' doctor. It's a "send out" blood test. Mayo Clinic does it. Athena probably does it. Your doctor can look on line to see which companies and university laboratories sell this test to doctors, and how to order it. Insurance will even cover it if you come up with a good reason for sending the test. The name of the gene is Cytocrome P -450-2D6. If the test results show that you have it or your relatives have it, then you'll know that the following drugs will be toxic to you and should be avoided: a) opioids; b) neuroleptic tranquilizers used for public neuromodulation in public spaces and some homes; c) any other drug metabolized by cyp450-2D6, if you look it up in a Physician's Desk Reference. A good dictionary of drugs, called a Pharmacopia, should list for each drug how it is metabolized, via liver or kidneys or both, and which liver enzymes do the work. So you'll know to keep all such drugs out of your environment and your dad's environment, if at all possible.
Best wishes for your continuing good health in the New Year,
From a progressive, straight but not narrow, Tolkien fan, with the handle above, who happens to be trained to read a science text and understand it, and is happy to share her knowledge with fellow Decent People...
Funny and informative
Wow. I'm so happy you shared this! I happen to have a liver and kidney genetic disorder/mutation. It came from my paternal grandfather side of the family and they actually look a lot like Norse men and my grandaunts were drop dead gorgeous. Anyhow, they all had issues and I happen to not be able to take a part some enzimes from protein (at least it was what the GP told me. Waiting on some exams atm.) I also got tested for some stuff few years back when I got a weird allergy no doctor could find out what it was and among the tests there was one about the muscles enzimes and I was lacking this particular one. So I'm thinking this is connected somehow. I cannot metabolize certain protein. I also take anxiety medication and antidepressants unfortunately. And it really messes up my hepatic system. I used to have memory loss when I had massive panic attacks and would block things out and I'm pretty sure I already had one or two mini strokes.
What's interesting is that my mother has none of these issues but she's more at risk of suffering from dementia which scares me like hell after watching my maternal grandfather suffer for years. Also my maternal grandmother had stomach and pancreatic problems which led to her sudden death ( related to bad anxiety made it fulminant) she died screaming in pain when she got to the hospital and already full of morphine 😭😭😔
I don't live in the states, but I'm definitely going to try to get that blood work done for my mother!
@Heloise O'Byrne When you have your stroke caused by your choking on your own right wing hatred of all things and people educated, good luck finding a neurologist saner, kinder, or better trained than I am. To be floridly honest about the field! But let me allow you to get back to your usual activity of coughing in Dr. Fauci's face without a mask....
@@bulletsfordinner8307 There are many, many different causes for these diseases of old age, that we call "multi factorial". For some of the causes, we have developed tests. For others we are still searching for a better scientific understanding. If your family members do not use addictive substances and don't have high cholesterol (some of the causes of both heart disease and brain disease that we are beginning to understand better), then this genetic test might (or might not) shed some light on your family's condition.
That's what correctly ordered laboratory tests do: they let your doctor either circle ("ahah! that's it!") or cross off ("nope, not that cause") a potential cause on the list he or she has of potential causes of your illness or your parent's illness, to look into. This list is called "the differential diagnosis". The more we know about medical science, the quicker a doctor can go through the list of potential causes of your illness and circle or cross them off, to get at the true cause.
And the wonderful thing that makes science seem almost like magic sometimes, is that when you "get it right", and identify the real cause of an illness, the treatment WORKS. If you've got it wrong, the doctor ends up fuddling and piddling around with treatments that don't wind up doing anything but costing money and trouble. As a doctor, as well as for the patient, it's immensely satisfying to "get it right" because the patient gets better quickly when the doctor is correct in the diagnosis. Almost like "magic". Except that it's actually science done right....
@@bulletsfordinner8307 You know, there's one fairly clear cut condition in neurology that can mimic all sorts of other medical condition and cause the patient all sorts of mysterious problems until it gets diagnosed and treated. That condition is called epilepsy. Brief focal epileptic seizures are one thing that could be (possibly..) responsible for your episodes of memory loss. The 'nice" thing about epilepsy as a diagnosis is that it's reasonably straight forward to diagnose and treat. And when epilepsy does turn out to be the root of the problem and it gets diagnosed and treated, the patient GETS BETTER from all sorts of symptoms and problems that had seemed mysterious and psychosomatic, even, in the past.
Ask your doctor for an EEG test, preferably a long one, at least two or three hours long, so that you can take a nice nap during the EEG. It's very important that the EEG capture you having a good period of sleep for the test to be accurate, so a longer EEG test, lasting two or three hours or even over night, is better than a twenty minute one.
If the EEG shows signs of epilepsy, there are lots of different medicines that are useful to treat epilepsy. Your doctor can work with you to find one that does the job of relieving your weird symptoms without giving you bad side effects. This is an art, but it's worth "getting it right", because if it is epilepsy causing a patient's symptoms and they can get a treatment that stops the seizures without making them sick, the patient's life becomes better by leaps and bounds. So it's worth checking into that diagnosis by means of an Evidence Based Medical Test called an EEG.
The final two years of my grandmother's life she had several strokes (which we sadly didn't figure out until a few years later) and developed dimentia. My mom took time off of work to stay home and take care of her with my sister's help while i worked to support the family. It was really sad to no longer have a conversation with her like we used to, to not see her do the things she loved to do, and see her stop making plans to see friends and her siblings. It also showed me that while she was the matriarch of the family, she was not as high a priority to her other children as she was to us...probably because we lived with her and we closer with her, emotionally, than the rest of them were.
I can’t say that I will watch the movie because it has been so much of my life. I am still healing from all of the loss and the betrayals that made it worse in short time. I’m trying to find my life again. I cried nonstop for three years and now I am learning to live again.
They need to be met where they are in the moment just like all of us, children and adults. If comforting doesn't help, sometimes distraction or humor does. It worked with my Dad. ❤❤❤
I’m a Japanese fan of Viggo. This film hasn’t come out yet in my country. Can’t wait. He is such a talented, honourable, intelligent actor. I always adore words he chooses.
And, the way he looks.. It might be strange but I’m totally in love with him though I’m 40 years younger than him
Nice work and I just love Viggo. Falling was just absolutely personable and stunning. I believed he would do well behind the camera, but that incredible acting is now on par with his directing. His script was meaningful.
Virgo my love!! Glad you did this!! My dad passed 3 years ago from dementia. Not fun cuz he'd cuss and hit! After evaluation he was on meds. It's just sad cause in nursing home he passed in 9 months from non care, no one feeding him or monitoring his kidney function. Bad enough dementia but not to be cared for was bad!!
If I had to get into a conversation with Viggo to be honest I'd be intimidated by his grasp of English, let alone all his other languages. He can speak with such depth and elucidate his thoughts so clearly. He's got more going on between the ears than most.
My best friend’s dad was diagnosed with this horrible disease. I saw first hand some of the horrible experiences they go through. My friend’s dad accused her of trying to poison him with his medication. Very sad since she adored her dad and would never of hurt him in any way. The disease is extremely difficult on both parties. I will never forget how this sharp, fun, very personable family man changed due to this sickness.