The Belgian Silvering Screen: A multi-method research project on ageist discourses and representations in Belgian cinema (1945-2022)

Research on mediated representations of age, old age and audience’s experiences around old age is still scarce. Nevertheless, there is a growing number of representations of older people in media (cf. film, TV shows, advertisements, etc.). Existing research on ageism frequently illuminates the topic from a focus on TV series and news articles. Much less research is done on film, despite the medium's wide reach and popularity. Given Belgium's rich film history, this project is specifically interested in the complex relationship between older people and the representation of ageism in Belgian film throughout history (1945-2022). More specifically, this research will (1) quantitatively investigate longitudinal changes in the representation of older people in Belgian film history (1945-2022); (2) explore issues of ageist discourses and representations through an in-depth qualitative textual analysis of case studies (key films); and (3) examine the reception of these films and the experiences of ageist discourses and representations among older people over 65.