Oscar-nominated Maite Alberdi’s empathic documentary witnesses a love surviving the devastation of worsening dementia
Chilean director Maite Alberdi really gets elderly people and those with mental health problems. One of her previous works, The Grown-Ups, focused on adults with Down’s syndrome struggling with independence, while her international breakthrough The Mole Agent featured residents of a care home, some with dementia. This latest painfully potent film, The Eternal Memory, carves a snug room for itself in the director’s thematic wheelhouse with its portrait of a Chilean couple, utterly devoted to each other, but challenged by the husband’s progressively worsening Alzheimer’s disease.
At the same time, the film also engages with recent Chilean history, another topic Alberdi has explored previously. How could it do otherwise given that the husband, Augusto Góngora, was a broadcaster and journalist who made underground documentaries about the conditions in Chile under Pinochet...
Chilean director Maite Alberdi really gets elderly people and those with mental health problems. One of her previous works, The Grown-Ups, focused on adults with Down’s syndrome struggling with independence, while her international breakthrough The Mole Agent featured residents of a care home, some with dementia. This latest painfully potent film, The Eternal Memory, carves a snug room for itself in the director’s thematic wheelhouse with its portrait of a Chilean couple, utterly devoted to each other, but challenged by the husband’s progressively worsening Alzheimer’s disease.
At the same time, the film also engages with recent Chilean history, another topic Alberdi has explored previously. How could it do otherwise given that the husband, Augusto Góngora, was a broadcaster and journalist who made underground documentaries about the conditions in Chile under Pinochet...
- 11/8/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
It had been a while since I’d seen a film as sweepingly romantic as Maite Alberdi’s The Eternal Memory, a documentary that focuses on the lives of Augusto Góngora, an exemplary journalist who sought justice in a post-military coup Chile, and Paulina Urrutia, a stage and screen actor who served as Minister of Culture and the Arts under Michelle Bachelet. But if we didn’t know them before going into the film, we only learn about their impressive careers once we’ve fallen in love with them as human beings.
As the film begins we learn Augusto has been living with Alzheimer’s, his memory slowly fading away as he fearfully grasps at the remains of what he can still make sense of. It’s Paulina who often brings him back to the light, becoming the ultimate life companion in every way possible. In addition to the love story between Augusto and Paulina,...
As the film begins we learn Augusto has been living with Alzheimer’s, his memory slowly fading away as he fearfully grasps at the remains of what he can still make sense of. It’s Paulina who often brings him back to the light, becoming the ultimate life companion in every way possible. In addition to the love story between Augusto and Paulina,...
- 8/16/2023
- by Jose Solís
- The Film Stage
With their new film Wild Life, two top filmmakers focused on the outdoor world — Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, the directors of well-regarded climbing docs Meru and the Oscar-winning Free Solo — decided to make a film about icons of that very culture. And it felt a little messy at first, as they explain.
“I was really hesitant to make this film,” says Vasarhelyi, noting that her husband and co-director Chin — himself a world-class climber — deeply respected the film’s core subjects, former Patagonia CEO and conservationist Kris Tompkins and climbers and entrepreneurs Doug Tompkins, Yvon Chouinard and Rick Ridgeway. Moreover, as then-former and current company owners, the subjects were “used to making the decisions,” Vasarhelyi says, while the couple’s stringent filmmaking process would require them to cede control over the telling of their story.
Ultimately, though, the filmmakers overcame their misgivings (and the subjects of the film agreed to take part,...
“I was really hesitant to make this film,” says Vasarhelyi, noting that her husband and co-director Chin — himself a world-class climber — deeply respected the film’s core subjects, former Patagonia CEO and conservationist Kris Tompkins and climbers and entrepreneurs Doug Tompkins, Yvon Chouinard and Rick Ridgeway. Moreover, as then-former and current company owners, the subjects were “used to making the decisions,” Vasarhelyi says, while the couple’s stringent filmmaking process would require them to cede control over the telling of their story.
Ultimately, though, the filmmakers overcame their misgivings (and the subjects of the film agreed to take part,...
- 4/21/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pope Francis, only a few days after leaving the hospital, is presiding over religious observances during the holiest week in the Roman Catholic faith. As part of Good Friday services today, he took part in a celebration of the Passion of the Lord at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
On Easter Sunday he will preside over mass at the basilica, after which he will deliver the traditional “urbi et orbi” blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter’s. One hundred thousand or more people are expected to crowd St. Peter’s Square for the blessing, a testament not only to the spiritual importance of the occasion but to the popularity of this pope.
Pope Francis leads the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 7, 2023.
Among the admirers of Francis is the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi, whose new documentary In Viaggio...
On Easter Sunday he will preside over mass at the basilica, after which he will deliver the traditional “urbi et orbi” blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter’s. One hundred thousand or more people are expected to crowd St. Peter’s Square for the blessing, a testament not only to the spiritual importance of the occasion but to the popularity of this pope.
Pope Francis leads the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 7, 2023.
Among the admirers of Francis is the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi, whose new documentary In Viaggio...
- 4/7/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Doug and Kris Tompkins’ dream sounded like a fanciful one. Seduced by a region of ravishing South American wilderness in which they found particular sanctuary, and wishing to protect it from any insensitive or unseemly development, they landed on a solution both simple and absurd-sounding: Why not simply buy as much of it as possible? Backed by the fortune they’d collectively amassed from the clothing industry — Doug as the founder of Esprit and The North Face, Kris as the former CEO of Patagonia — the couple successfully parlayed business tycoon status into an unprecedented scale of eco-activism: As one talking head notes in “Wild Life,” Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s soaring documentary tribute to the Tompkins’ romance and shared conservationist mission, they “could do anything, and chose to do anything.”
Not all Chileans, however, take such a rosy view of incoming billionaire Americans buying up vast swathes of...
Not all Chileans, however, take such a rosy view of incoming billionaire Americans buying up vast swathes of...
- 3/25/2023
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
With Sara Dosa’s Fire of Love earning a well-deserved Oscar nomination and Laura McGann’s The Deepest Breath getting a buzzy Sundance bow, the documentary subgenre of romances forged against photogenic and death-defying backdrops (sometimes featuring real-life tragedy) continues to thrive.
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, who won an Academy Award for Free Solo, one of the best films of this type, are back on tangentially similar terrain with Wild Life, an SXSW premiere that will get a brief theatrical run before hitting NatGeo. Less an adrenaline-filled suspense piece than Free Solo, Wild Life is a sad and inspiring love story, as well as a portrait of great wealth put to humanity’s common good, even if it glosses over a number of ethical head-scratchers. It’s still beautiful to look at, but I most enjoyed Wild Life as a complicated procedural about land use (don’t expect...
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, who won an Academy Award for Free Solo, one of the best films of this type, are back on tangentially similar terrain with Wild Life, an SXSW premiere that will get a brief theatrical run before hitting NatGeo. Less an adrenaline-filled suspense piece than Free Solo, Wild Life is a sad and inspiring love story, as well as a portrait of great wealth put to humanity’s common good, even if it glosses over a number of ethical head-scratchers. It’s still beautiful to look at, but I most enjoyed Wild Life as a complicated procedural about land use (don’t expect...
- 3/15/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Filmmaker Maite Alberdi seems keen to remind us non-fiction cinema can belong to different genres rather than reinforce some notion that they are a genre unto themselves. In the delightful The Mole Agent she delivered a thriller of the absurd; a bittersweet detective movie in which an elderly man infiltrates a nursing home where there are suspicions of elderly abuse. With The Eternal Memory, she tackles romance and tells one of the most moving love stories in ages.
Augusto Góngora and Paulina Urrutia have been together for a quarter-century. They met and became inseparable, eventually marrying and building a home, literally and metaphorically. They were both prominent professionals in their field; Góngora as a journalist who came of age while covering the last days of Pinochet’s dictatorship and Urrutia as a stage actor who went on to become Minister of Culture during Michelle Bachelet’s first government.
When we meet them,...
Augusto Góngora and Paulina Urrutia have been together for a quarter-century. They met and became inseparable, eventually marrying and building a home, literally and metaphorically. They were both prominent professionals in their field; Góngora as a journalist who came of age while covering the last days of Pinochet’s dictatorship and Urrutia as a stage actor who went on to become Minister of Culture during Michelle Bachelet’s first government.
When we meet them,...
- 2/6/2023
- by Jose Solís
- The Film Stage
Ten activists have signed a letter addressed to the United Nations demanding that the organization take measures to help Iran’s ongoing Covid-19 crisis, including requiring Iran to import the vaccine. Among the signatories are filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof (“There Is No Evil”), as well as documentarian Mohammad Nourizad.
The letter asserts that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s ban on the vaccine, as well as governmental promotion of large religious gatherings where safety protocols are not employed, are causing continued infections and deaths. Khamenei banned the import of vaccines from the U.S. and the UK back in January on the basis of conspiracy theories, and activists are blaming the leader for what is a surging fifth wave of the pandemic in Iran. August 29 saw more than 31,000 new cases. The world has overall seen 4.51 million deaths and 217 million cases total.
Read the letter in full below:
To,
Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet,...
The letter asserts that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s ban on the vaccine, as well as governmental promotion of large religious gatherings where safety protocols are not employed, are causing continued infections and deaths. Khamenei banned the import of vaccines from the U.S. and the UK back in January on the basis of conspiracy theories, and activists are blaming the leader for what is a surging fifth wave of the pandemic in Iran. August 29 saw more than 31,000 new cases. The world has overall seen 4.51 million deaths and 217 million cases total.
Read the letter in full below:
To,
Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet,...
- 8/30/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
President Joe Biden intends to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11th, 2021, an extension of a May 1st, 2021 deadline negotiated by former president Trump with the Taliban.
The president plans to announce his decision on Wednesday, according to the Washington Post, which broke the story, and other outlets. Although the Taliban has threatened to renew attacks if the U.S. and NATO do not adhere to the deadline, it is not yet apparent if pushing the date back by months will lead to retaliation.
The nearly 20-year war...
The president plans to announce his decision on Wednesday, according to the Washington Post, which broke the story, and other outlets. Although the Taliban has threatened to renew attacks if the U.S. and NATO do not adhere to the deadline, it is not yet apparent if pushing the date back by months will lead to retaliation.
The nearly 20-year war...
- 4/13/2021
- by Peter Wade
- Rollingstone.com
Al Gore, Vice-President of the United States (1993-2001), Chairman and Co-Founder, Generation Investment Management, sounded the alarm bells today, proclaiming a “true, full-blown global emergency” for the planet’s oceans.
“That reflects what the scientific community has been telling us,” he said, “and their predictions have been right in the past.”
The prominent environmental activist warned that global warming now traps the equivalent heat energy of 500,000 Hiroshima-class atomic bombs every day. As oceans warm, the impact on humanity is devastating, he said, with more common extreme weather events and food scarcity resulting from lower oxygen levels, and migrations and die-offs of vital fish stocks. “Apologies to Las Vegas,” said Gore, “but what happens in the ocean doesn’t stay in the ocean.”
Other experts echoed the urgency of Gore’s message. “If everyone knew how serious this is, everyone would be activists,” said Nina Jensen, Chief Executive Officer of Rev Ocean.
“That reflects what the scientific community has been telling us,” he said, “and their predictions have been right in the past.”
The prominent environmental activist warned that global warming now traps the equivalent heat energy of 500,000 Hiroshima-class atomic bombs every day. As oceans warm, the impact on humanity is devastating, he said, with more common extreme weather events and food scarcity resulting from lower oxygen levels, and migrations and die-offs of vital fish stocks. “Apologies to Las Vegas,” said Gore, “but what happens in the ocean doesn’t stay in the ocean.”
Other experts echoed the urgency of Gore’s message. “If everyone knew how serious this is, everyone would be activists,” said Nina Jensen, Chief Executive Officer of Rev Ocean.
- 1/25/2019
- Look to the Stars
When Sebastián Lelio’s “A Fantastic Woman” took home the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, it made history twice: Not only was it the first Oscar win for Chile, but the first Oscar win for a film with a transgender performer in the lead. The film’s Oscars represents a historic shift for transgender actors, who for too long have seen their identities being donned like a costume by cisgender actors gunning for awards. (Think “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Transamerica, and ‘Boys Don’t Cry”).
But the win may be most historic transgender rights activists in Chile, where the international attention to the film is bolstering a long-stagnating gender identity bill. According to The New York Times, transgender rights activists in Chile are hoping to use the film’s success to advance a 2013 bill that would allow transgender people to legally change their names and gender marker on official documents.
But the win may be most historic transgender rights activists in Chile, where the international attention to the film is bolstering a long-stagnating gender identity bill. According to The New York Times, transgender rights activists in Chile are hoping to use the film’s success to advance a 2013 bill that would allow transgender people to legally change their names and gender marker on official documents.
- 3/9/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Chilean president Michelle Bachelet welcomed the team behind A Fantastic Woman at the presidential palace on Tuesday to congratulate them on the country's first Academy Award win in the best foreign-language category. On the same day, she seized the momentum to push forward a gender identity bill that gives transgender people the right to legally change the name and gender on their ID.
Hours before meeting with breakout trans star Daniela Vega and the film's crew — including director Sebastian Lelio (Disobedience) and producer Pablo Larrain (Jackie), among others — Bachelet gave the bill "extreme urgency" status, which...
Hours before meeting with breakout trans star Daniela Vega and the film's crew — including director Sebastian Lelio (Disobedience) and producer Pablo Larrain (Jackie), among others — Bachelet gave the bill "extreme urgency" status, which...
- 3/7/2018
- by Agustin Mango
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sebastian Lelio's A Fantastic Woman got a double presidential praise on Twitter tonight, as both Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and President-elect Sebastian Piñera congratulated the film for its Oscar win in the best foreign-language film category.
"This award fills us with pride and recognizes not only a great film, but also a story about respect for diversity that is good for our country!," twitted Bachelet seconds after Rita Moreno announced the winner.
¡Mis mayores felicitaciones a @slelio, @danivega, @tengochicle y todo el equipo de #UnaMujerFantástica! El premio, que nos llena de orgullo, no sólo reconoce...
"This award fills us with pride and recognizes not only a great film, but also a story about respect for diversity that is good for our country!," twitted Bachelet seconds after Rita Moreno announced the winner.
¡Mis mayores felicitaciones a @slelio, @danivega, @tengochicle y todo el equipo de #UnaMujerFantástica! El premio, que nos llena de orgullo, no sólo reconoce...
- 3/5/2018
- by Agustin Mango
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amid controversy over recent sexual abuse scandals and the fire bombings of churches in Chile, a Roman Catholic country, Pope Francis sent a solemn apology to the victims of sexual abuse at the hands of clergy during his week-long visit in Chile.
“I am one with my brother bishops, for it is right to ask forgiveness and make every effort to support the victims, even as we commit ourselves to ensuring that such things do not happen again,” the pope said in Santiago, Chile’s capital, while standing alongside the country’s president Michelle Bachelet on Jan. 16.
Although Francis’ apology...
“I am one with my brother bishops, for it is right to ask forgiveness and make every effort to support the victims, even as we commit ourselves to ensuring that such things do not happen again,” the pope said in Santiago, Chile’s capital, while standing alongside the country’s president Michelle Bachelet on Jan. 16.
Although Francis’ apology...
- 1/17/2018
- by Thatiana Diaz
- PEOPLE.com
Unicef Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham, President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, singer, songwriter and actress Pink, actress Millie Bobby Brown, singers, songwriters and musicians Chloe x Halle, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Fcb and Fcb Foundation are among the many stars, leaders and organizations lending their voices to children for World Children’s Day, Unicef has announced.
“It’s a fun day with a serious point. A day for children by children to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfill their potential,” said Justin Forsyth, Unicef Deputy Executive Director.
The day, set for November 20, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the mobilization of the first World Children’s Day. Children from around the world will ‘take over’ key roles in media, politics, business, sport and entertainment to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and fulfil their potential.
“It’s a fun day with a serious point. A day for children by children to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfill their potential,” said Justin Forsyth, Unicef Deputy Executive Director.
The day, set for November 20, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the mobilization of the first World Children’s Day. Children from around the world will ‘take over’ key roles in media, politics, business, sport and entertainment to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and fulfil their potential.
- 11/17/2017
- Look to the Stars
Pink is giving children all over the world a reason to dance.
To commence World Children’s Day on Nov. 20, the United Nations is bringing children to the forefront by organizing global, child “takeovers” around the world. President of France Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister of Jordan Hani Al-Mulki, President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar, 50 United States mayors and several other top-ranking politicians globally will be temporarily resigning and turning over their roles to children. Additionally, 24 children will be added to Barcelona Football Club’s practice roster, with some acting as President and Vice President of the Club.
To commence World Children’s Day on Nov. 20, the United Nations is bringing children to the forefront by organizing global, child “takeovers” around the world. President of France Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister of Jordan Hani Al-Mulki, President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar, 50 United States mayors and several other top-ranking politicians globally will be temporarily resigning and turning over their roles to children. Additionally, 24 children will be added to Barcelona Football Club’s practice roster, with some acting as President and Vice President of the Club.
- 11/16/2017
- by Nicole Sands
- PEOPLE.com
America may elect its first female President in just two weeks, but what challenges does a woman in charge face that a man won’t? Full Frontal‘s Samantha Bee got the full scoop from other women leaders during a visit to the United Nations.
In the segment, which aired Monday, Bee chatted with U.S. former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about the misogyny women are subjected to when they hold political leadership positions, before getting the world view from Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, among others.
“Why are men afraid of women?...
In the segment, which aired Monday, Bee chatted with U.S. former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about the misogyny women are subjected to when they hold political leadership positions, before getting the world view from Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, among others.
“Why are men afraid of women?...
- 10/25/2016
- by Lindsay Kimble
- PEOPLE.com
This look is definitely fit for a queen. Queen Letizia turned more than a few heads last night at a state dinner in Madrid, wearing a fittingly regal black lace gown with a delicate sheer illusion paneled neckline. A royal blue sash decorated with state emblems adorned the striking belted dress as well. Not that we paid attention to it for long, though—the Queen's blinding diamond tiara was obviously the showstopper in this breathtaking ensemble. The Queen accompanied husband King Felipe of Spain to the dinner last night honoring Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at the Zarzuela Palace. Topping off her royal getup, the former broadcast journalist completed her look with a smoky eye, dark ruby lips and a...
- 10/30/2014
- E! Online
All hail the queen! Beyoncé takes the prime spot as the cover girl on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. And she's far from the only entertainer on the list. Also making the cut were actors Amy Adams, Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Redford, Kerry Washington and Robin Wright, along with musicians Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams and Carrie Underwood. But it's Beyoncé who gets top billing, having proven she can do it all - juggling motherhood with activism while, oh yes, reinventing how music is made, sold and performed. "Beyoncé doesn't just sit at the table.
- 4/24/2014
- by Tim Nudd
- PEOPLE.com
All hail the queen! Beyoncé takes the prime spot as the cover girl on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. And she's far from the only entertainer on the list. Also making the cut were actors Amy Adams, Benedict Cumberbatch, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Redford, Kerry Washington and Robin Wright, along with musicians Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams and Carrie Underwood. But it's Beyoncé who gets top billing, having proven she can do it all - juggling motherhood with activism while, oh yes, reinventing how music is made, sold and performed. "Beyoncé doesn't just sit at the table.
- 4/24/2014
- by Tim Nudd
- PEOPLE.com
With the Miss Universe pageant less than a month away, a handful of countries remain to choose who will represent them. Maria Jesus Matthei was crowned as Chile's choice on Sunday (Oct. 6) night in Santiago.
"I decided to enter this contest because I've traveled a lot, I'm a cosmopolitan girl and I love beauty contests," says Matthei, one of 15 contestants.
In addition to the title Miss Chile, the 21-year-old has another claim to fame. Her aunt, Evelyn Matthei, is running against favored incumbent Michelle Bachelet in the country's first presidential race to have only female candidates. The Chilean election takes place Nov. 17, eight days after the Miss Universe pageant.
"It was my dream to win and I did it. I'll arrive in Russia perfectly prepared," says Matthei.
The 2013 Miss Universe pageant will take place Saturday, Nov. 9 in Moscow.
"I decided to enter this contest because I've traveled a lot, I'm a cosmopolitan girl and I love beauty contests," says Matthei, one of 15 contestants.
In addition to the title Miss Chile, the 21-year-old has another claim to fame. Her aunt, Evelyn Matthei, is running against favored incumbent Michelle Bachelet in the country's first presidential race to have only female candidates. The Chilean election takes place Nov. 17, eight days after the Miss Universe pageant.
"It was my dream to win and I did it. I'll arrive in Russia perfectly prepared," says Matthei.
The 2013 Miss Universe pageant will take place Saturday, Nov. 9 in Moscow.
- 10/8/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.