In the powerful new indie film FAMILIAR TOUCH, award-winning actress Kathleen Chalfant (known for The Affair, Angels in America) stars as Ruth, a fiercely independent octogenarian navigating the move into a memory care facility. Her body may be relocating, but her mind travels freely—often beyond what her family can comprehend.
Written and directed by Sarah Friedland, and inspired by her personal experience as a caregiver, FAMILIAR TOUCH redefines what a film about aging, dementia, and memory loss can be. With warmth, humor, and honesty, Friedland crafts a unique “coming-of-age” story in later life—one that avoids clichés and brings fresh emotional depth.
Shot on location in a real retirement community—with residents and staff participating both on and off screen—FAMILIAR TOUCH offers a rare level of authenticity. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it won Best Director and Best Actress, and is now opening in theaters across the U.S.
🎬 Don’t miss our interview on INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE with Sarah Friedland and Kathleen Chalfant as they talk about the filmmaking process, aging with agency, and creating cinema that breaks new ground in representation.
#FamiliarTouch #KathleenChalfant #SarahFriedland #IndieFilm #AgingWithDignity #MemoryCare #DementiaAwareness #ElderCare #RepresentationMatters #InsideTheArthouse #IndependentFilm #USTheatricalRelease
Watch our exclusive INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE interview with director Sarah Friedland and legendary actress Kathleen Chalfant, as they discuss:
The realities of aging and memory care in America Representing dementia with compassion, humor, and nuance The power of independent film to challenge stereotypes
🔔 Subscribe for more interviews and behind-the-scenes from today’s most groundbreaking independent films.
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Kathleen Chalfant interview Sarah Friedland director Venice Film Festival winners women filmmakers 2025 movies set in retirement communities caregiving and memory care stories
aging with dignity BehindTheScenes #FilmDiscussion #MovieReview #NewReleases #NewFilmReleases #FilmLovers #Cinema #MoviePodcast #GregLaemmle #RaphaelSbarge #LaemmleTheatres #FilmDistribution #MovieIndustry #FilmBusiness Video Podcast Independent Film / Indie Film Arthouse Film / Arthouse Movie Film Lovers / Cinema New Movie Releases / New Film Releases Repertory Cinema / Classic Films / Classic Movies Filmmaker Interviews / Filmmakers (Directors, Writers, Producers) Film Distributors / Film Distribution Movie Industry / Film Business / Movie Business Behind-the-Scenes Insights Film Discussion / Movie Reviews / Film Analysis Greg Laemmle / Raphael Sbarge Laemmle Theatre
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