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The Eternal Memory

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8.0/10 • 77

2023-08-111h 25m

Documentary

Augusto and Paulina have been together for 25 years. Eight years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Both fear the day he no longer recognizes her.

Directors
Maite Alberdi
Editors
Carolina Siraqyan

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Paulina Urrutia

    Paulina Urrutia

    Self

  2. Augusto Góngora

    Augusto Góngora

    Self

  3. Gustavo Cerati

    Gustavo Cerati

    Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

  4. Pedro Lemebel

    Pedro Lemebel

    Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

  5. Javier Bardem

    Javier Bardem

    Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

  6. Raúl Ruiz

    Raúl Ruiz

    Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Reviews2

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jan 15, 2024

7/10

Filmed during the COVID lockdown, this really is a poignant and affecting love story. We are introduced to Augusto Gongora and his wife Paulina Urrutia. The former was an accomplished television journalist in Chile during it's frequently turbulent times, she an acclaimed actress and they have, by 2023, been married for a quarter of a century. What we discover quickly is that he is suffering from Alzheimer's and as the pair continue through the life, both dread what they know to be coming: the day when he will no longer know who she is. This is one of those rare documentaries where the actuality of the political trouble and strife actually serve to deliver us a bit of a breather from the intensity of this most human of stories as the couple wake up each morning without any idea what that day may bring. The lockdown scenario and the hand-held photography ensures that there are few other characters to divert our focus from this intimate and heart-rending depiction of their determination not to allow this disease to prevail any earlier than they have to. Their habits and routines are designed to elicit as many memories and triggers as possible to enable Augusto to hold onto his soul for just that bit longer, but he isn't a King Canute and even throughout the timeframe of this documentary we see that they cannot thwart the inevitable. It's not some melancholy affair, though. Their grandchildren enliven things and this couple are still very much up for the joys of life. There is plenty of laughter to remind us that it's life they want to live, not just an existence they wish to seek. From an observer's perspective we also get a little of the sense of the frustration felt by this man who, as a journalist, was a voracious reader but who can no longer enjoy his vast library. We also see a dedication and affection from Paulina who must also recalibrate from time to time to ensure that she doesn't succumb to the relentless pressures of living such an unpredictable life. This isn't an easy watch, but over ninety minutes we get an insight into just how spirit and a sense of humour can still make a difference.

Media

  • The Eternal Memory poster
  • The Eternal Memory poster
  • The Eternal Memory poster
  • The Eternal Memory poster
  • The Eternal Memory poster
  • The Eternal Memory poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
Spanish
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
resistancejournalismalzheimer's diseaselovememory lossself identitypower of lovededicationhealth documentarydocumentarylong-married couplecine chileno