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

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 Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z 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