THE STORY
Welcome to the world of Waltz of Life, where the vibrant spirit of retirees takes center stage. Our documentary captures the essence of a debate league that bridges generational gaps and celebrates the vitality of old age. Blending grounded realism with imaginative, stylized sequences that reveal the vivid inner worlds of our participants, the film invites you on an extraordinary journey of spirit and self-discovery. These debaters don’t shy away from controversy — they tackle the most urgent and divisive questions of our time, from the risks and promises of artificial intelligence to the ethics of book banning and the heated debate over gun control. Their arguments are as sharp as their wit, and their courage to engage reminds us that dialogue, no matter how difficult, is the heartbeat of democracy. Waltz of Life showcases their unwavering passion, wisdom, and spirit, proving that life's most beautiful waltz happens in its later stages. With a unique focus on the power of debate and discussion, the film aims to inspire and enlighten audiences of all ages.
THE JOURNEY
Waltz of Life follows a band of sharp, tenacious retirees who refuse to fade into the margins. Once doctors, scientists, and community leaders, they rebuild purpose by standing at podiums debating, researching, and risking vulnerability. Inside the walls of Salemtowne Retirement Community, what begins as a humble effort to keep their debate club alive transforms into an extraordinary intergenerational experiment when Wake Forest University debate professors and their students step in as mentors and collaborators, bridging decades through mentorship, laughter, and shared discovery. Together, these relentless minds face off against their equally spirited peers at Abbotswood Retirement Community in a historic tournament that sparks the creation of a National Retirement Debate League. In a world that often sidelines the elderly, Waltz of Life is a cinematic celebration of courage, curiosity, and the unbreakable will to stay alive in spirit, even as the body slows.
BIO
Naz Sayari Marcum is a Turkish-born filmmaker whose journey from academia to cinema reshaped her understanding of purpose and storytelling. Once an accounting professor immersed in logic and precision, she traded numbers for images, ¬discovering in film a deeper, more human form of truth. Now a director, producer, and editor, Naz brings the discipline of her former life to the art of crafting emotionally charged, thought-provoking stories. Her work blends philosophical inquiry with psychological depth, exploring how people redefine themselves when life demands reinvention. Rooted in self-reflection and empathy, Naz’s films challenge audiences to look inward, question convention, and remember that transformation, at any age, is both possible and necessary.
