The Eternal Memory

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The Eternal Memory

Released Aug 11, 2023

1h 25m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

74 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Augusto and Paulina have been together and in love for 25 years. Eight years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and his wife has since become his caretaker. As one of Chile's most prominent cultural commentators and television presenters, Augusto is no stranger to building an archive of memory, having been responsible for that herculean task following the Pinochet dictatorship and its systematic erasure of collective consciousness. Now he turns that work to his own life, trying to hold on to his identity with the help of his beloved. Day by day, the couple face this challenge head-on, adapting to the disruptions brought on by the taxing disease while relying on the tender affection and sense of humor shared between them that remains intact.

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Critics Consensus

Telling a deeply personal story against a profound political backdrop, The Eternal Memory offers poignant testament to the power of love and remembrance.

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Linda Holmes

NPR

The love story of these two, and the way Pauli makes her way through extraordinarily difficult moments in which he is upset or frightened, feels surprising over and over.

Feb 29, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

A restrained, respectful piece of film-making that takes its lead from its two subjects.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 13, 2023

Full Review

David Jenkins

Little White Lies

Instructive on cognitive decline, but overall too slight to hit home.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 11, 2023

Full Review

Philip Bagnall

Loud and Clear Reviews

The Eternal Memory is unquestionably moving, and it fulfils its purpose of presenting Alzheimer’s Disease upfront. [...] Yet, by not adequately explaining who this man is, and offering greater context to his suffering, the effort falls short.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 19, 2024

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

There's a valid and tender love story here... but it takes the easy way, as while focusing on it, it takes away from questioning the discourse of the lost memory of Chile. [Full review in Spanish]

Mar 15, 2024

Full Review

Alison Rowat

The Herald (Scotland)

Every flashback to their well-documented previous lives is a heartbreaker, and as time goes on the picture becomes bleaker still. But what shines through is love, and laughter. Lots and lots of laughter.

Feb 27, 2024

Full Review

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Marika Sparrow

The most beautiful love story I’ve ever seen!!! Best movie of 2023. Absolute MUST SEE! It will resurrect the faith in love of the most unbelieving

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/05/23

Full Review

Eduardo F

Excellent representation of a drama that many people have to go through with their elders. Pain and anguish are reflected in both of them. Maite did it again!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/19/23

Full Review

Jonah K

alzheimer’s: one of the cruelest things this universe has to offer.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/31/24

Full Review

Tom F

It's hard to be cynical about love when you see this couple look at each other.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Kyle M

This observative documentary seems to minimally capture the growing signs of dementia and the struggles that come with it, emphasizing the importance of cherishing lasting memories as sympathetically nuanced buildup after respectfully displaying the persons' profiles. (B)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

Full Review

Gonzalo C

Hermoso documental, lleno de nostalgia y por sobre todo, amor.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

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Maite Alberdi

Director

Paulina Urrutia

Self

Augusto Góngora

Self

Maite Alberdi

Screenwriter

Maite Alberdi

Producer

Juan de Dios Larraín

Producer

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Synopsis

Augusto and Paulina have been together and in love for 25 years. Eight years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and his wife has since become his caretaker. As one of Chile's most prominent cultural commentators and television presenters, Augusto is no stranger to building an archive of memory, having been responsible for that herculean task following the Pinochet dictatorship and its systematic erasure of collective consciousness. Now he turns that work to his own life, trying to hold on to his identity with the help of his beloved. Day by day, the couple face this challenge head-on, adapting to the disruptions brought on by the taxing disease while relying on the tender affection and sense of humor shared between them that remains intact.

Director: Maite Alberdi
Producer: Maite Alberdi, Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín, Rocío Jadue
Screenwriter: Maite Alberdi
Distributor: MTV Documentary Films
Production Co: Inmaat Productions, Fabula, Micromundo Producciones, Chicken And Egg Pictures, UTA Independent Film Group
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 11, 2023, Limited
Runtime: 1h 25m

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