Sian-Pierre Regis
Director
Sian-Pierre Regis is a Black gay filmmaker who put his journalism career at CNN on hold to create Duty Free. He is a NextAvenue Influencer in Aging, an Encore Public Voices Fellow, and a Firelight Media Fellow.
Duty Free
Duty Free follows the story of an immigrant mother, who, after working every day of her life to support her two kids on one paycheck, is abruptly fired from her job at the age of 75. As she struggles to find new work to support herself, her son decides to repay her sacrifices by taking her on a bucket-list journey to do all of the things she was never able to do while she was working. From milking cows on a farm in Vermont to taking a hip-hop dance class to going to the gravesite of her sister, the pair unpack the significance behind each of her bucket-list choices. In the process, she comes face-to-face with the reality of how significantly culture has changed in the 40 years she has worked at the same hotel job: how web job applications have replaced paper applications, and how pervasive ageism is in America’s job application process. The documentary explores the layers of one mother’s life and shines a light on the millions of aging Americans who are being left behind by our society.
Awards & Recognition
Nominee