Format	Film (DVD, VHS)
Title	The Whales of August
Year of Release	(1987) Alive Films
MPAA Rating	PG
Concepts (Subconcepts)	Internal dynamics of families; (family transitions); (divorce, separation and widowhood); interpersonal relationships; (love and romance)
Language	English
Summary of Film or Television Series premise	“Summer people in Maine: things are changing. Whales no longer pass close to the shore as they did during the youth of two elderly widowed sisters who have a seaside home where they've summered for 50 years. Libby is blind, contrary, and seemingly getting ready to die. Sarah is attentive to her sister, worried about continuing to care for her, and half interested in an old Russian aristocrat who fishes from their shore. It's the eve of Sarah's 46th wedding anniversary. The Russian offers some fish he's caught, Sarah invites him to dinner, and Libby gets her back up. Sarah wonders if it isn't time to sell the place and find a home for Libby. What alternatives do old people have?” (www.IMDB.com)
Description of Clip (if applicable) and length	Feature Film [approx. 90 min.]
Teaching Activities	Discussion, guided observation, written assignment (used in the class, Family Issues in Gerontology)
Audience	Students over 18
Contributor	Janice G. Weber*, Higher education Faculty/Instructor jweber@louisiana.edu *Contact contributor for more information about the use of this clip/teaching idea.
Links for Additional Information	Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094315/ Yahoo Movies: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800134675/info
Entry date	November 3, 2006