Mark Wexler’s “How to Live Forever”

In one of those moments which life occasionally delivers to the unsuspecting, I found myself in LA on Sunday, sitting on a couch with Edward James Olmos (yes, that one) and Maria Entraigues, watching Mark Wexler’s new film, How to Live Forever. (Thank you, Mark, for having your DP lend us a pre-release copy at such short notice.)

Here’s a synopsis of the film from Mark himself:

Filmmaker Mark Wexler is not going down without a fight. Rather than face his own mortality, he embarks on a worldwide trek to investigate just what it means to grow old and what it could mean to really live forever.

But whose advice should he take? Does 94-old exercise guru Jack LaLanne have the answers, or does Buster, a 101-year-old chain-smoking, beer-drinking marathon runner? What about futurist Ray Kurzweil? Biogerontologist Aubrey de Grey? Phyllis Diller? …

The perspicacious amongst you will notice SENS Foundation’s CSO, Aubrey de Grey, in that list of potential advisors.

Mark’s created a wonderful documentary. At times it’s funny, at times reflective, but always thought provoking. Throughout, he delivers a range of viewpoints which illuminate the issues we face as our population ages, tying together personal stories with more global concerns. Edward’s take on it: “How to Live Forever is a must see if you want to know what’s coming in the near future…”

Rather than witter on about the film, I’ll simply say that I thoroughly recommend it, and point you in the direction of the official website for a trailer, cinema times, and all the other information you no-doubt crave by this point.