August 25, 2023
FILM: THE ETERNAL MEMORY
DIRECTED BY: MAITE ALBERDI
STARRING: AUGUSTO GONGORA, PAULINA URRUTIA
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
The Eternal Memory is the kind of documentary that is so personal and touching that no fictional recreation could tap into the same beauty and emotional power that it contains. Augosto Gongora was a television journalist in Chile for many years when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 62. By that point he had been with Paulina Urrutia, an actress of considerable note in the country, for well over a decade. They would eventually marry and Augusto made the decision to have a film made about his struggle with the disease.
The film then developed into a project for Maite Alberdi, a documentarian known for her Oscar-nominated film The Mole Agent. Filming began but then COVID hit, locking down Augusto and Paulina in their home. Alberdi handed over a camera and Paulina started filming the many daily activities that she was engaged in with Augusto. Cameras are strategically placed as we see her shaving him, reading to him, as well as walking and exercising together. What results is a story of love and devotion during a very challenging time for both.
It’s hard not to be taken with the couple, and especially Augusto, right from the early scenes. They are clearly in love as Paulina tries to help him remember as much as possible. This period in the film is full of a lot of laughter and warm smiles from the handsome and charismatic Augusto. We’re also treated to news footage from his younger days when he reported on the various political and social shifts in Chile. Clearly, he loved being on camera and so it makes sense that he’d want to document his declining years in front of one. Paulina, while an actress, comes across as very authentic and deeply caring for her husband. She knows this is his story and she honors it completely. Also included here is some home video footage taken over the early years of their relationship. It’s a gift for us to see these various stages of their life as it offers a strong overview of who they’ve been as individuals and as a couple.
Of course, Alzheimer’s is a very difficult disease and we gradually see a shift in Augusto. Some of his love of life is replaced by intense anger, sadness, frustration, and a feeling of loneliness as his friends and children are unable to see him, in part, due to the pandemic. Paulina captures his strong attachment to his books which are found everywhere in their home but especially in the hands of Augusto. It’s very bittersweet to see how important and necessary they remain for him at this stage of life.
Interestingly, Alberdi includes footage of a speech Augusto made in the 1980s about the importance of emotional memory. His focus was on the Chile’s need to come to terms with its identity as a nation and the importance of that memory to help heal its then current social-political issues. Knowing how crucial Augusto felt about memory it’s sad to think of his losing his own past and sense of self later in life.
Some may think this might be a very sad and depressing story to follow. Much of it is and yes, one might shed more than a few tears while watching it unfold. However, this is ultimately a story of love. Paulina is nothing but giving to Augusto. Yes, she also becomes frustrated at times, but it’s clear that her love and attention helped him to survive many years of declining health. In his earlier speech, Augusto says, “what matters is having a good attitude.” Paulina has it and she shares that with Augusto, who already lives with a very affirmative attitude toward life and struggles. It is this perspective that we all can learn from whether we are dealing with someone who has also been afflicted with Alzheimer’s or we are going through our own difficult times.
This is definitely one of the best and most moving films of the year.
The Eternal Memory opens this week at the Gene Siskel Center in Chicago.
FILM: THE ETERNAL MEMORY
DIRECTED BY: MAITE ALBERDI
STARRING: AUGUSTO GONGORA, PAULINA URRUTIA
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
The Eternal Memory is the kind of documentary that is so personal and touching that no fictional recreation could tap into the same beauty and emotional power that it contains. Augosto Gongora was a television journalist in Chile for many years when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 62. By that point he had been with Paulina Urrutia, an actress of considerable note in the country, for well over a decade. They would eventually marry and Augusto made the decision to have a film made about his struggle with the disease.
The film then developed into a project for Maite Alberdi, a documentarian known for her Oscar-nominated film The Mole Agent. Filming began but then COVID hit, locking down Augusto and Paulina in their home. Alberdi handed over a camera and Paulina started filming the many daily activities that she was engaged in with Augusto. Cameras are strategically placed as we see her shaving him, reading to him, as well as walking and exercising together. What results is a story of love and devotion during a very challenging time for both.
It’s hard not to be taken with the couple, and especially Augusto, right from the early scenes. They are clearly in love as Paulina tries to help him remember as much as possible. This period in the film is full of a lot of laughter and warm smiles from the handsome and charismatic Augusto. We’re also treated to news footage from his younger days when he reported on the various political and social shifts in Chile. Clearly, he loved being on camera and so it makes sense that he’d want to document his declining years in front of one. Paulina, while an actress, comes across as very authentic and deeply caring for her husband. She knows this is his story and she honors it completely. Also included here is some home video footage taken over the early years of their relationship. It’s a gift for us to see these various stages of their life as it offers a strong overview of who they’ve been as individuals and as a couple.
Of course, Alzheimer’s is a very difficult disease and we gradually see a shift in Augusto. Some of his love of life is replaced by intense anger, sadness, frustration, and a feeling of loneliness as his friends and children are unable to see him, in part, due to the pandemic. Paulina captures his strong attachment to his books which are found everywhere in their home but especially in the hands of Augusto. It’s very bittersweet to see how important and necessary they remain for him at this stage of life.
Interestingly, Alberdi includes footage of a speech Augusto made in the 1980s about the importance of emotional memory. His focus was on the Chile’s need to come to terms with its identity as a nation and the importance of that memory to help heal its then current social-political issues. Knowing how crucial Augusto felt about memory it’s sad to think of his losing his own past and sense of self later in life.
Some may think this might be a very sad and depressing story to follow. Much of it is and yes, one might shed more than a few tears while watching it unfold. However, this is ultimately a story of love. Paulina is nothing but giving to Augusto. Yes, she also becomes frustrated at times, but it’s clear that her love and attention helped him to survive many years of declining health. In his earlier speech, Augusto says, “what matters is having a good attitude.” Paulina has it and she shares that with Augusto, who already lives with a very affirmative attitude toward life and struggles. It is this perspective that we all can learn from whether we are dealing with someone who has also been afflicted with Alzheimer’s or we are going through our own difficult times.
This is definitely one of the best and most moving films of the year.
The Eternal Memory opens this week at the Gene Siskel Center in Chicago.