Plot

While tirelessly advocating for others, Susan Suchan navigates a cruel life predicament, and secretly devises an unorthodox plan to control mortality.

Set against the backdrop of Oklahoma's glowing sunsets, a lush ribbon of river in southwest Missouri, and the sugary sands of Panama City Beach, Florida, Producer/Director Russ Kirkpatrick, with Director of Photography Samuel Calvin, capture the story of a family's fascinating history and how the past plays into current-day dynamics that have to exist because of their matriarch's involuntary life journey, and unorthodox life planning. Filming took place over the course of years, beginning in 2015.—Russ Kirkpatrick

The documentary follows the life and advocacy of Susan Suchan, who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. Diagnosed with a disease that will become dementia, instead of taking it as an immediate death sentence, Susan Suchan has turned into an outspoken advocate, giving a voice and face to those with Alzheimer's and FTD. The film is an intimate, if not raw portrait of how Susan and her family manage through dementia. ©Kirkpatrick and Kinslow Productions, LLC.—Russ Kirkpatrick

Filmed over the course of years, the Susan documentary is now complete and the film is being reviewed by various distributors, as it makes its way along the film festival circuit.

The goal of the film is to drive conversations surrounding dementia related diagnoses.

The subject of Susan, Susan Suchan, was initially misdiagnosed with early onset Alzheimers, then later with FTD, Frontotemporal Dementia, with a Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) disorder. Susan had exactly what Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with, which has increased awareness about FTD and PPA. The Susan documentary will continue that awareness campaign. In dramatic fashion, Susan puts a face to FTD, turning on its head the idea that someone with a diagnosis like this doesn't have a voice. Susan Suchan also advocated tirelessly for others.

Joining Producer/Director Russ Kirkpatrick and Director of Photography Samuel Calvin, the Oklahoma based film crew included Wendy Parker, Sha'ree Green, Wendy Garrett, Nicholas Szabo, Brian Gilliland, Ryan Weaver, Mark Gullickson, and Britni Harris. Editing was handled by Los Angeles based James Kicklighter, the score was composed by McKeever Arnold in Oklahoma City, and Visual Effects Artistry was handled by Brady Foster, also in the Oklahoma City area.

Filming locations included Tulsa, Oklahoma; Noel, Missouri; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New York City; and Panama City Beach, Florida.

The project is produced by Kirkpatrick & Kinslow, Executive Produced by Andy Kinslow. Sydney Alison is an assistant to producers on the project.

Kirkpatrick & Kinslow, and the Susan documentary property, are represented by Wendy Drummond, in the entertainment law division of Drummond Law, with copyright clearance from Amy E. Mitchell, PLLC.