Paulina Urrutia – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

THE ETERNAL MEMORY – Review by Lois Alter Mark

August 7, 2023August 7, 2023 Lois Alter Mark Alzheimer;s, Augusto Gongora, chilean films, documentaries, maite alberdi, Paulina Urrutia

In this achingly beautiful documentary, filmmaker Maite Alberdi parallels Chilean journalist Augusto Góngora’s professional success in keeping his country’s memories alive with his personal struggle to keep his own memories alive in a battle against Alzheimer’s that he cannot win. His disease is ravaging his mind much the way the Pinochet regime ravaged Chile. Thanks to Alberdi’s masterful direction, though, the film has a surprisingly light and hopeful feel.

Reviews

THE ETERNAL MEMORY (HotDocs2023) – Review by Liz Braun

May 11, 2023August 5, 2023 Liz Braun Augusto Gongoro, chilean films, documentaries, hotdocs2023, maite alberdi, Paulina Urrutia, the eternal memory

The Eternal Memory is a love story about journalist Augusto Gongoro and actress (and arts and culture minister) Paulina Urrutia, a Chilean couple living with his Alzheimer’s. Filmmaker Alberdi wanted to capture this couple because of the way Pauli integrated Augusto’s care into everyday life — an effort that allowed Augusto to thrive despite Alzheimer’s.

Festivals Interviews

Maite Alberdi on THE ETERNAL MEMORY (HotDocs2023) – Liz Braun interviews

May 5, 2023June 11, 2024 Liz Braun Augusto Gongora, chilean films, documentaries, hot docs 2023, maite alberdi, Paulina Urrutia, the eternal memory. idfa

The Eternal Memory is a love story that covers 25 years in the relationship between Chilean journalist Augusto Gongora and his wife, actress Paulina Urrutia. Augusto and Pauli have lived with his Alzheimer’s for the last decade. The heartrending movie reflects the intimate observational style of award-winning filmmaker Maite Alberdi, whose close focus on individual stories is often a door to larger national issues. We spoke to Alberdi when she was in Toronto with The Eternal Memory at the Hot Docs Film Festival.