Come Talk To Me Selected for Twin Cities Film Fest

Come Talk To Me, a groundbreaking documentary that uses artificial intelligence to bring back a Parkinson's disease (PD) activist's voice, has been selected for the Twin Cities Film Fest. The film, which follows Jackie Hunt Christensen and her family, offers a unique and intimate look at the challenges of living with PD and its impact on relationships.

Jackie, who became an advocate after her diagnosis in 1998, uses AI to recreate her voice from two years post-diagnosis, before noticeable speech changes occurred. This AI-generated voice, called "JHC2K," not only narrates the film but also poses questions written by Jackie's present-day self. Her husband, Paul, and their two sons, along with other friends with PD, share their experiences, reflecting on the various forms of communication necessary as the disease progresses.

The documentary delves into the Christensens' journey, including reflections from their sons, now grown, on how 28 years of living with PD have shaped their family dynamics. It also highlights Jackie's behind-the-scenes work, such as her trip to an international summit for Parkinson's support group leaders in Austin, Texas, where she conducted interviews.

Throughout the production, Jackie and Paul face numerous challenges but remain committed to completing the film and raising awareness about how Parkinson's affects communication and relationships, particularly those of care partners. They are particularly keen for the film to be viewed in settings that allow post-screening discussions, such as film festivals and community-hosted screenings.

Kari Kielblock, who hosted a screening, noted, "I showed [Come Talk To ME] to a group of 23. Every person in the room shared that it was relevant in their life. Everyone should see this." Viewer Marna Anderson described the film as "a realistic and beautiful look at a family who is learning to love more deeply through a painful and difficult disease. It also provided excellent information and resources for viewers."

Come Talk To Me screens at 12 pm on October 24 at the Edina Mann Theatre (3911 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424) as part of the Twin Cities Film Fest, which runs from October 15 to 24. The fest is headquartered at Marcus West End Cinema, 1625 Park Place Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416.

Producer Jackie Hunt Christensen, who became a Parkinson's disease activist after her diagnosis, has authored two guidebooks on the disease. At the time of her diagnosis, she was the Co-Director of the Food and Health program at the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy in Minneapolis and a co-founder of Health Care Without Harm (HCWH): The Campaign for Environmentally Responsible Health Care. She continued her work until 2004 when she had to leave her jobs due to PD symptoms and apply for disability benefits.

Director Deacon Warner, a documentary filmmaker and youth media instructor, has taught media arts since 2008 and directed several short documentaries. His first feature documentary, The Co-op Wars, premiered at the Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival in 2021.