Documentary Puts Face on Financial Insecurity, Ageism and Other Issues

"Our mindset is that the older generation is expendable and disposable,” Regis observes. “My generation needs to change this mindset, to care more about our elders and create better systems to support their inclusion.”

Unemployed and soon to be homeless, his mother became one of the one quarter of U.S. adults who have no retirement savings. In fact, a mere 36 percent of Americans think that their retirement planning is on track.

Making dreams come true

With his mother having no job prospects and nowhere to live, Regis needed to give her a renewed purpose, a sense that life was worth living, even without employment. And that's where the idea of a bucket list came from. He was determined to make his mother's dreams come true, to honor her, after she spent a lifetime sacrificing for her loved ones.

Regis and Danigelis at the IFC Center in New York.

Juan Brest

Regis raised $60,000 through a Kickstarter campaign, and then he and his mom began to work down the list, from skydiving to going to London to reconnect with the daughter whom Danigelis sent away to be raised by her sister in England some 50 years ago. She and Regis also embarked on simple joys like learning to milk a cow and hip-hop dancing.

As Danigelis began posting her experiences online, the story went viral and other people began sharing their tales of being downsized as older adults. Regis and his partner, Sam Moll, an NYC dietitian, helped her with tasks like filing for unemployment and Medicare, all made infinitely more difficult during the coronavirus pandemic and due to her lack of computer literacy. They set up Danigelis’ vaccination appointments, helped her apply for jobs and enabled her to get back a sense of control over her life.

"It really hit me that older folks, some of whom have never been taught the ins and outs of the internet, are being completely left out from the job market, from getting vaccines and from communicating with the outside world because they don't have computer savvy. Who's going to help them?” Regis says.

One heartbreaking part of the film is watching Danigelis apply for numerous positions, attend job fairs and career centers, and continually face rejections. “No one in this world is gonna hire a 75-year-old!” she laments.

Understanding real happiness

What makes Duty Free so compelling is Danigelis’ absolute joyous and indomitable spirit. Regis created an Instagram account for his mother (@Rebrexit on Instagram), and she now has nearly 50,000 new friends worldwide who share their own bucket-list stories.

Looking back, Danigelis has gained perspective from the whole experience. “It's really important to live when you live,” she says. “I wasted time by not serving my needs in the way I've served other people, and I'm finally understanding what happiness is."

For Regis, this time with his mother has been a lesson in trying to figure out when he can be selfish and when he must be selfless. “I want my mom to be seen at all times and feel cared for, but I also need to be OK with not being here all the time and nurturing my own relationships.”

The film's release, in theaters and streaming nationwide in virtual cinema platforms, is timed for Mother's Day, but it's also coming out at a time when pandemic restrictions are loosening. “So many people have been separated for a year, and this film is a reminder that we can reevaluate who we are, what work we value, who we care about and who we want to be with at the end of the day,” Regis says. “Being able to help to be an advocate for my mother and have her spend this time living with us has been a true gift.”