Jon Snow, the veteran Channel 4 news presenter, is the subject of a new documentary that intertwines his personal battle with Alzheimer’s disease and an environmental investigation in Zambia. The film, titled *Jon Snow: A Last Big Story*, offers a dual narrative: it explores Snow’s ongoing struggle with dementia while documenting a significant ecological disaster involving a Chinese-owned copper mine.

In February 2025, a dam at the Sino-Metals Leach copper mine in Zambia collapsed, releasing millions of litres of toxic waste into the Kafue River ecosystem. The spill caused extensive environmental damage and sparked accusations of an official cover-up. Snow, alongside his wife, neuroscientist Precious Lunga, and former Channel 4 news editor Ben de Pear who directed the documentary, traveled frequently between the UK and Zambia. During filming, Snow learned about the disaster and chose to focus part of the film on exposing the incident. This choice marked a return from retirement for the 78-year-old journalist, who is determined to highlight the ongoing crisis and the community’s plight.

The documentary portrays Snow’s mental state candidly, showing moments when his Alzheimer’s symptoms are apparent, such as repeated questions and occasional confusion. However, his characteristic warmth, compassion, and journalistic instinct remain evident throughout. Snow uses his experience to confront the stigma surrounding dementia, stating that people often react as if those with mental decline are “sort of dead.” His wife, Lunga, who is dedicated to keeping him mentally active, appears alongside him, underscoring the personal impact of the condition.

Critics have noted the poignancy of the film’s intimate portrayal of Alzheimer’s, particularly in quieter, everyday moments like medical memory tests, which emphasize the challenges faced by those with the disease and their loved ones. Yet, some have questioned the documentary’s shift from personal reflection to a more dramatic investigative style in covering the environmental disaster, suggesting the transition may feel jarring or overly theatrical.

Despite differing opinions on the film’s narrative balance, there is broad recognition of Snow’s enduring qualities as a reporter. Archival footage recalls his decades of frontline journalism, from coverage of IRA bombings in London to reporting from conflict zones such as Somalia and Iraq. The documentary is both a testament to his career and an unflinching look at his confrontation with Alzheimer’s, a disease affecting nearly a million people in the UK and expected to rise in prevalence.

Ultimately, *Jon Snow: A Last Big Story* serves as both an environmental exposé and a deeply personal statement on the value and dignity of those living with dementia, illustrating the persistence of human connection and journalistic purpose in the face of cognitive decline.