Alive Inside is a documentary film directed by Michael Rossato-Bennett and released in 2014. The film follows the work of social worker and music lover Dan Cohen, who discovered that giving iPods with personalized playlists to elderly nursing home residents suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia can have a profound impact on their quality of life.
The film features interviews with nursing home residents, their families, and healthcare professionals, highlighting the way that music can unlock memories and emotions in people with cognitive decline. It also explores the impact of music on brain function and the potential for music as a therapeutic tool in dementia care.
The film builds a powerful case for the importance of music in promoting well-being and dignity in the lives of older adults, particularly those living with dementia. It also raises larger questions about the way that society views aging and the need for human connection and creativity in later life.
Alive Inside premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014, where it won the Audience Award for Best U.S. Documentary. It has since been widely acclaimed for its moving portrayal of the power of music and the potential for human connection to transcend the limitations of age and illness.