Today Anna Smith talks to Oscar-nominated director Maite Alberdi about her new documentary The Eternal Memory, which follows a Chilean couple as they navigate the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease together. She then talks to Ella Glendining about her BIFA-nominated documentary, Is There Anybody Out There? which charts her search for individuals with the same rare disability as herself.

Journalist Augusto Góngora and actor Paulina Urrutia are the subject of The Eternal Memory, a touching testimony of the couple’s bond in the face of Augusto’s worsening dementia. ‘La Pauli,’ as Augosto referred to his partner, took care of him after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 62. Maite recalls how the couple had a unique approach to the disease where they saw ‘Alzeimher’s as a challenge, not a tragedy’. The film uses a mix of archive footage from Augusto’s broadcast days and new material as the couple go about their daily lives, noticing the sensory experience of the everyday and how it interacts with Augosto’s condition. The Eternal Memory offers a unique and refreshing perspective on dementia, ageing and coupledom. 

Next, Anna Smith talks to Ella Glendining about the making of and motivation behind her documentary Is There Anybody Out There?. The film is personal, one woman’s search to find someone else born with no hip joints and short femurs, but it is also deeply political, laying bare the ethics of  medical intervention, exploring the impacts of ableism and documenting disabled joy. Ella talks about the inspiration behind the film, the challenges and surprises she faced while making it, and she reveals the projects she is most looking forward to seeing next!

You can watch The Eternal Memory in select cinemas from the 10th November 2023. Visit www.theeternalmemory.film to find out more and book tickets

Is There Anybody Out There? is in cinemas and on demand 17th November 2023. Screenings and information at conic.film/anybody
 
Other films mentioned in this episode include: 
The Mole Agent, Maite Alberdi, 2020
Dick Johnson Is Dead, Kirsten Johnson 2020
Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (Original title: Savvusanna sõsarad), Anna Hints, 2023

Television mentioned in this episode include: 
We Might Regret This, Kyla Harris

Reviews mentioned in this episode: 
https://www.timeout.com/movies/smoke-sauna-sisterhood-2023 

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Girls On Film is an HLA production. 

Host: Anna Smith
Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold
Producer: Lydia Scott
Audio editor: Emma Butt
Intern: Charlotte Matheson

House band: MX Tyrants

This episode is in partnership with Dogwoof and Conic Films.

© HLA Agency

Ep 161: Docs and disability with the directors of The Eternal Memory & Is There Anybody Out There?

Girls On Film is a film review podcast from a female perspective, hosted by film critic and broadcaster Anna Smith and produced by co-founder Hedda Archbold at HLA Agency