A Kind of Madness

Piet is a 72-year-old man, struggling to cope with the loss of his memory and the subsequent decline of his wife, Anna, who is suffering from dementia. Despite her condition, Anna still remembers the happy times they shared, but her memories become increasingly vague as the days go by. The two are living in a small retirement home, where the staff often struggle to keep up with their needs. Piet, desperate to hold on to his fading connection with Anna, decides to take desperate measures. One day, amidst the chaos of the retirement home, Piet hatches a plan to abduct Anna and flee the institution. He carefully observes the staff's routine, looking for an opportunity to make his escape. His chance arrives when he convinces one of the carers, a young woman named Thembi, to accompany them on a supposed outing to fetch some fresh air. However, unbeknownst to Thembi, Piet's intentions are far more sinister. While out on their supposed walk, Piet swiftly grabs a small bag and leads Anna through the corridors of the nursing home. They slip past the disbelieving staff, taking advantage of the chaos that ensues. Once free, Piet bundles Anna into their small car and embarks on a perilous journey, evading the police and his worried adult children, Rachel and Michael. As they travel across the South African countryside, Piet's grip on reality starts to loosen. His memories of Anna begin to blur together, causing him to become increasingly paranoid. Anna, despite her dementia, remains keenly aware of their situation. Though her memories of the past are fading, she still retains a spark of recognition for her husband. However, their escape comes at a cost. Piet's daughter, Rachel, is frantic when she discovers that her father has gone missing with her mother. Desperate to bring her mother home, Rachel enlists the help of the authorities, and soon, the police are hot on Piet's heels. Meanwhile, Michael, Piet's son, tries to reach out to his father, attempting to connect with the man he once knew. As the stakes rise, Piet becomes more and more unpredictable, putting both him and Anna in grave danger. Their car is involved in a minor accident, and Piet suffers a head wound, causing his memories to become even more fragmented. Anna, sensing her husband's desperation, tries to cling to the memories they share, but it becomes increasingly clear that she may be the only one left with any semblance of reality. Amidst the chaos, Thembi, who had unwittingly helped Piet and Anna escape, feels a pang of guilt for her involvement in their scheme. As the authorities close in, she knows she needs to make things right. In a heart-wrenching moment, Thembi decides to confess her role in Piet's escape to Rachel, effectively turning in the fugitive. As the police close in on Piet's position, Anna begins to lose touch with reality. In a poignant scene, Piet is left holding their lifeless bodies – both of which are deceased, having died alone.