Capture - Our work - The Smile Within Documentary

The Brief

Capture was engaged by The Arts Health Institute and Hot Tin Productions to produce and direct this half-hour documentary for television and DVD.

The Overview

The SMILE Study is the world's first large scale research project that examined the effects of humour therapy on older people with dementia in Sydney, Australia. This ground breaking three year study was undertaken by Australia's foremost researchers in dementia, led by Professor Henry Brodaty and his team from UNSW

The resultant half hour documentary, The Smile Within translates and documents the Smile Study from research to screen, making the findings and effects of the research available to a wider audience.

Filming focused on Jean-Paul Bell (performer) as he delivered humour therapy in three different Aged Care facilities. We see the behavioural effects of using humour intervention and learn that it is as effective as psychotropic drugs but with no side effects

As well as filming with dementia patients, staff and family members, other filming included in-depth interviews with academics and other health specialists to understand the science behind dementia, the purpose and results of the study and its wider implications.

The Smile Within documentary will serve multiple uses: screening on ABC TV in 2012 (as well as other international broadcasters) and screen at international and national conferences and festivals. It will also be distributed as a DVD and online resource for health professionals throughout Australia.

The film has also been part of a catalyst for change within the Aged Care Industry; PLAY UP a new not for profit organisation, is rolling out a humour therapy program in Aged Care facilities across Australia.