Bionic Buzz® interviewed Jim Joliffe, the Director of Photography for the upcoming National Geographic documentary CHRIS HEMSWORTH: A ROAD TRIP TO REMEMBER. We talked about where his passion for photography began, the experience of filming against the stunning backdrop of the Australian Outback, and the incredible work that went into recreating the Hemsworths’ 1990s home — complete with vintage details like a VCR and a Game Boy. Jim also shared fun behind-the-scenes stories and insights from his time working on the documentary.

More than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease the most common cause. And every year, there are a staggering 10 million new cases of dementia worldwide, which begs the question: What can we do to help those affected by it? This question is what motivated Chris Hemsworth to return with his most personal mission yet: CHRIS HEMSWORTH: A ROAD TRIP TO REMEMBER. Moving beyond his own health as featured in the LIMITLESS series, in this deeply emotional special, Chris embarks on an intimate motorcycle journey across Australia with his father, Craig, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, to rekindle memories and strengthen their bond, exploring the effective science of connection, community and nostalgia — crucial but often overlooked tools in protecting brain health.

The one-hour documentary, from Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa, Jane Root’s Nutopia, and Chris Hemsworth and Ben Grayson’s Wild State, premieres Nov. 23 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

In this touching and uplifting journey, inspired by Craig’s recent diagnosis, Chris and his father set out on their motorcycles on a “road trip back in time,” visiting people and places from their shared past, from suburban Melbourne to the wild expanses of Australia’s Northern Territories, to explore the profound science of social connection. Through the stunning, vast landscapes of Australia, Chris and Craig’s journey becomes a funny and moving exploration of a father and son’s bond, proving that love, community and shared experience can be potent medicine.

Their adventure, some of which Chris films himself, is guided by Dr. Suraj Samtani, a dementia specialist and clinical psychologist at the University of New South Wales Centre for Healthy Brain Aging, who worked with producers in collaboration with the Hemsworth family over the course of a year.

Dr. Samtani’s research, along with a recent global study of over 40,000 people across 14 countries, found that those who maintained regular social interactions cut their risk of developing dementia in half, with evidence showing that strong social connections can even slow cognitive decline after diagnosis. This critical finding provides the scientific foundation for the trip’s key beats, including the following:

Reminiscence Therapy: revisiting past experiences by talking to someone about them, using objects from the past (like photos or home videos), or visiting places from the past is a great way to boost cognition. Social Connection: regular interactions, like talking with a friend or having a confidante, are shown to reduce the risk of early mortality. Social Bridging: participating in wider community activities, like volunteering or group walks, is linked to slower rates of cognitive decline.

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Interview and video edited by Steve Sievers of Bionic Buzz®