WASHINGTON, DC—AARP today announced a collaboration with Bleecker Street on the release of “What They Had,” the upcoming film starring Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress Hilary Swank, EMMY and Tony Award winning actress Blythe Danner, with Michael Shannon, Robert Forster and Taissa Farmiga.

From first-time writer/director Elizabeth Chomko, “What They Had” centers on a family in crisis. Bridget (Swank) returns home to Chicago at her brother’s (Shannon) urging to deal with her mother’s (Danner) Alzheimer’s and her father’s (Forster) reluctance to let go of their life together. The film aligns with AARP’s caregiving social mission and brings awareness of the issue to a wide audience.

“AARP is working closely with the entertainment industry to help raise awareness of our demographic as well as the many key issues affecting Americans today,” said Myrna Blyth, SVP and Editorial Director of AARP Media. “Caregiving and dementia are central to the movie’s storyline. ‘What They Had’ will speak to our members and the many millions that are facing these problems every day.”

As part of the collaboration, AARP will help promote the film through its vast digital platforms and the AARP Movies for Grownups® program, which will offer 30 screenings of the film to members across the country beginning October 22. At the film’s conclusion, audiences will also be able to view a PSA, featuring writer/director Elizabeth Chomko and highlighting AARP caregiving resources.

AARP will also feature Hilary Swank and Blythe Danner on the October/November cover of AARP The Magazine, the nation’s most-read magazine, with more than 38 million readers. The accompanying ATM cover story provides an in-depth look at the actors’ own experiences with caregiving. 

“We are thrilled to be working with AARP to bring Elizabeth’s film and this story to audiences,” said Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street. “It’s a touching and heartfelt look at what many families face as they deal with a loved one’s decline.”

AARP supports the more than 40 million family caregivers nationwide who provide unpaid short-term or long-term care to a parent, spouse, friend or other adult loved one in need.

Recognizing the tremendous strain caregiving has on families and individuals, AARP provides resources and tools including caregiving guides, easy-to-find local resources and an online community of caregivers.

To learn more about AARP’s caregiving efforts and resources, visit (www.aarp.org/caregiving).  For more information about AARP’s efforts and resources on dementia, visit Disrupt Dementia.

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About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Paola Torres, AARP, 202-434-2555, ptorres@aarp.org