Young@heart (2007)

This documentary follows the six weeks leading up to a performance by the Young@Heart choir, a group composed of elderly community members whose average age is 80 years old. Young@Heart is led by director Bob Cilman, who throughout the film patiently guides his charges through the lyrics and musical development of several new songs. Unlike most senior citizen choirs, however, Cilman's choir sings contemporary and classic rock music ranging from The Clash to Sonic Youth. Young@Heart begins by introducing several of the choir members, beginning with 92-year old Eileen Hall, and goes on to profile various others, while telling the story of the weeks leading up to their latest performance. For one of the highlights of the new show, Bob has contacted two former members of the chorus who had previously left for health reasons, and invites them to return for a duet of Coldplay's "Fix You." As the date of the big performance nears, Cilman and the singers rehearse tirelessly to prepare for the debut of their new songs. From tricky lyrics and dischordant melodies to health scares and hospitalizations, challenges lay behind every turn in this heart-lifting and touching movie about humanity at its oldest and finest.