A different kind of “coming of age” story
About the film
What people are saying
The workshop created the space to feel and express and reflect, allowing me to work my way more deeply into the film, and allowing the film to work its way more deeply into me.
Student, 23
The collage experience was very rich because it drew on the themes from the film. For those of us who are not experienced art creators that kind of a prompt really helps!
Workshop participant, 45
One takeaway: I have granddaughters (6 and 9) and I want to be more open about my leaving-the-world-behind process.
Workshop participant, 71
This film and this workshop have enabled something within me. Something that I will embrace, memories, relationship, absence, silence. But also an artistic part that I have not explored,.
Workshop participant, 37
Me siento feliz de haber tenido la oportunidad de ser parte de esta maravillosa experiencia. "Quiero ver muchos cielos como Margot y Barbara" y que mi vida sea tan inspiradora como la de ellas.
Workshop participant, 32
the film … offered guidance in how to deal with the feeling of loss. It made me understand how to value the time that I have now rather than dwelling on what might come. I would love for everyone to get the chance to experience [the film] because I truly do believe that no matter what the age of the viewer is, there is something different for everyone to take out of Grains of Sand.
Student, 17
I felt as if my inner world at 80 found a mirror that reflects us all …that brought me sweet solace in a challenging time - a mirror that was your film – connecting us all.
Filmgoer, 80
Gracias por esta película. Todo en ella es arte puro!!
Filmgoer, 55
I have parents in their 80s now … and your film has inspired me to ask them certain questions, film them and record their thoughts and answers to share with siblings and younger generations.
Filmgoer, 56
Eine sehr berührende Geschichte über drei besondere Frauen. Ich habe mich im Nachgang sehr angeregt gefühlt, mich zu öffnen und tiefe Gespräche zu führen. Danke für ein besonderes Erlebnis!
Filmgoer, 52
Eine außerordentliche Geschichte, die mich sehr berührt hat. Für mich wirft das nochmal ein ganz neues Licht auf die Gespräche, die ich mit meinen Großeltern führe. Vielen Dank dafür!
Filmgoer, 22
Thank you for turning my heart inside out. It's hard to find the words.
Filmgoer, 68
I sat, stunned for moments after the film ended… just realizing that this film, these women, landed where I live, right at this moment in my life. Many thanks.
Filmgoer, 73
Images from the movie keep returning to me and it has enriched my view of aging and of living a vital engaged life while we do that!
Workshop participant, 54
[The film] was truly inspiring and I also enjoyed the collage workshop. I'm thinking of making another collage inspired by the film and will send you an image if I do so.
Workshop participant, 83
Incredible. As a former nurse, I am so grateful to see how you've brought a beautiful awareness to aging - And the phases that occur in later life that are so often ignored. From the depths of my heart, thank you…
Filmgoer, 34
Makes me want to take a long, long journey. This inspires me artistically and personally…
Student, 25
That makes me think about aging and how you still are yourself, parts of yourself that you created when you were younger but you are also something new and something that’s different.
Student, 23
Ein sehr schöner und emotionaler Film, der Mut für das Altern macht, weil er das Altern zeigt wie es ist: schwierig, neu, aufregend, aber auch schön und vor allem: dass der Lebensabend kein Ende ist.
Filmgoer, 32
Sarah Anne Gross’s cinema tells stories that are not captured on camera but are touched, felt, and lived together. Grains of Sand is one of the calmest but most profound steps of this journey for now.
Evrim Kepenek, bianet.org, Turkey
OUR BLOG
What makes a community screening?
A Series of Intentional Conversations
Aging as a Political Act
I never thought of aging as something political. But last week I listened to Ezra Klein’s recent interview with Sarah McBride, congresswoman from Delaware and the first openly transgender member of Congress.
A Very Special Screening in Brandenburg
On May 31st we held a very special screening of Grains of Sand in the beautiful “Blaues Pferd” farmhouse, near Zehdenick, Germany, where Barbara and Margot meet up every year in the film. It was a magical evening!
Who cares about a personal film about two women aging?
During the eight years of filming, I would find myself at film networking / social events answering the ubiquitous question about my “current project.” At these times I learned that I was making an “older women’s film” – generally, when I described the project, women over 50 would respond with interest and enthusiasm.
World Premiere Thessaloniki
When Grains of Sand had its world premiere at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival in Greece this March, I sat down in the audience, nervous about what people who were seeing the film for the first time would (or wouldn’t) feel.
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