Assignment Task: Watch the film Mimi & Dona:
Mimi and Dona Discussion Guide
1. When the film opens, Dona is 64 years old and has never lived away from her mother, Mimi, who is 92. Imagine yourself in Mimi's shoes. What might Mimi be thinking at this stage of life?
2. Dona's nephew Bo says that "Mimi has simply done everything for Dona" and suggests that Dona is more capable of independent action than she shows. Is it possible for Dona to learn to take care of herself, at age 64?
3. Dona's family felt they had few options for her placement outside the home. If you had a child or sibling like Dona, what type of living arrangement would you want for this person?
4. Dona's nephew Keith, who has a son with autism, says, "I occasionally feel like I have to live forever and outlive him." What is behind Keith's statement and how do you feel about it?
5. Mimi did not make plans for Dona until she reached a very advanced age. What keeps us from making arrangements in advance concerning our own aging and eventual demise?
6. The film celebrates the love of Mimi and Dona while also showing the heartbreak of their separation. What do you find most upsetting/inspiring about the film and why?