WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the 25th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision for disabled people, Caring Across Generations is supporting its first narrative film centering a disabled family caregiver. The national advocacy organization, which aims to transform cultural narratives related to aging, disability and care, will help to finance the feature adaptation of “Take Me Home,” a critically acclaimed short by writer-director Liz Sargent. This move into content development and producing follows Caring Across Executive Director Ai-jen Poo’s open letter urging Hollywood to greenlight more values-driven stories. Poo, who also leads the National Domestic Workers Alliance, will serve as one of the film’s executive producers.
Based on Sargent’s experience growing up with disabled siblings, “Take Me Home” follows Anna, a cognitively disabled woman, and her estranged sister as they learn to communicate and navigate life after their mother’s death. The short film premiered at Sundance and is featured today at a White House event celebrating the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Olmstead v. L.C. decision, which affirmed the right of disabled people to receive state-funded supports and services in their own communities rather than in institutions.
“‘Take Me Home’ is a rare example of a film that embraces the perspectives of older and disabled adults and dares to imagine a world where everyone can thrive,” said Lydia Storie, director of culture change at Caring Across and another one of the film’s executive producers. “We plan to package the film in a way that reflects this vision through an innovative financing model and an inclusive and accessible production process.”
With initial funding from Jane Shin Park, an executive producer on the short, Caring Across aims to raise additional financing for the film in part through philanthropic support. A percentage of the film’s net proceeds will go directly to Anna, the film’s star, to ensure her ongoing care needs are met and provide her with long-term financial stability. The production process will also be designed to support Anna’s needs and to allow her to maximize her creative contributions to the project.
“It’s not hard to make truly accessible films; you just have to be open to thinking creatively,” said Liz Sargent, who spoke at the White House alongside her sister, Anna, about how creating a more inclusive film set led to powerful and authentic performances. “I’m thrilled to partner with Caring Across and advance new models for equitable, disability-forward filmmaking practices.”
The feature is scheduled to start filming fall of 2024, with an anticipated release date in 2025. Caring Across will also lead an impact campaign around the film.
Earlier this year Caring Across published the Care Inclusion Playbook, a guide to help writers and other creatives incorporate often-overlooked care experiences into their content. Executive and creative teams at ABC, BET Studios, Disney and Netflix are already using the resource, which outlines common narrative storytelling pitfalls that reinforce ageism and ableism, and highlights ways to depict care more inclusively across age, ability, culture, race, immigration status, sexual orientation and gender identity, and socioeconomic class. In 2023, Caring Across established the Creative Care Council consisting of Bradley Cooper, Brandee Evans, Yvette Nicole Brown, Megan Thee Stallion and others working to shift cultural narratives to more accurately depict stories around caregiving. The organization also recently partnered with Participant, HRTS Foundation, and National Domestic Workers Alliance to grant $50,000 to a soon-to-be-announced narrative short film project featuring a new take on care.