After a successful career, Melissa Davey pivots from the corporate world to filmmaking and her passion to share stories. Beyond Sixty captures the lives of women over sixty providing insights to younger women less exposed to older women’s stories online.
The film begins with Davey interviewing young women about Davey’s project and their opinion on whether young women can benefit from listening to older women. With yes as her answer, Davey proceeds to interview over eight women from a variety of professions and locations.
Peggy Ann Bradnick Jackson, now a mental health advocate, was abducted as a high school teenager in Shade Gap, Pennsylvania. Making newspaper headlines, Peggy was held for seven days until officers rescued her and killed her abductor. Peggy believes the system failed this man who grew up surrounded by hatred; she has forgiven him for his crime and dedicated her life to mental health.
In the early 1900s, Madam C.J. Walker started a beauty line with hair straightening shampoo for Black women; she also invented a straightening comb. Surrounded by artifacts, stories, and photos and of her great-great-grandmother, writer and journalist A’lelia Bundles is encouraged to write about her famous relative and discovers Madam Walker was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist.
After taking a sculpture class, Karen Atta decides to pursue art. Beginning with a studio and gradually expanding her business, Karen is now a successful artist who has created life-size sculptures, designed a giant egg sitting in a horse-drawn carriage for Lady Gaga’s perfume line, and recently created a group of beautiful sculptures reminiscent of sea creatures. Karen believes one can only improve with age and experience.
Voice-over artist and musician Susan Bennett relates how she became the voice of “Siri” for Apple. Bennett says, rather than trying to hold on to youth, one should try to hold on to “youthful attitudes”.
Sara Picasso Lavner describes how her mother had her modeling at the age of three on Princess for a Day and made every effort for Sara to “stand out." After Sara marries the son of Pablo Picasso and her mother learns that Pablo Picasso is a famous artist, she is okay with Sarah’s marriage and her new status.
Living in New York City with Picasso, Sara is exposed to the art world and elite society but soon realizes that life is not for her. After three years though, Sara realizes this life is not for her. She eventually meets Bill Lavner, a publisher, and they marry and have a wonderful marriage with two sons while she continues to pursue writing.
Veterinarian Paula Yankauskas describes her love of swimming and the chance to swim the English Channel as an older woman. With insightful comments on overcoming challenges, saying yes to new experiences, and embracing life after sixty, this film is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (T. Root)