MTV Documentary Films has acquired worldwide rights to the “deeply moving and profound” love story The Eternal Memory after it world premiered to excellent reviews at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in the World Documentary Competition section. The film is director Maite Alberdi’s follow-up to The Mole Agent which was nominated in 2021 for the Academy Award® for Best Documentary Feature.
The Eternal Memory is produced by Maite Alberdi, Juan De Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín and Rocío Jadue. It is executive-produced by Marcela Santibañez, Daniela Sandoval, Nicholas Hooper, Julie Goldman, Christopher Clements, Chandra Jessee and Rebecca Lichtenfeld. The film will have its International Premiere next month at the Berlinale in the Panorama Section. MTV Documentary Films is planning a theatrical release and robust awards campaign later this year.
In The Eternal Memory, 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.
“I am so happy that The Eternal Memory has found its home at MTV Documentary Films which, in recent years, has believed in the artistic innovation of documentaries and has released documentaries that I greatly admire,” says Maite Alberdi. “Working with Sheila Nevins is an honor, and I admire what she has built in the documentary industry.”
“The gift of love that lasts is revealed in The Eternal Memory. One cannot be cynical in Maite’s verité film – a remarkable achievement that allows us to observe what remains as memory fades. We reconsider the value of a long life lived and consider in our own lives the eternal reach of comfort and caring to an otherwise merciless end,” said Sheila Nevins, Executive Producer, MTV Documentary Films.
“An extraordinary and sublime love story, we simply couldn’t take our eyes off the screen. The Eternal Memory left us so deeply moved and devoted to Augusto and Pauli – we can’t stop thinking/talking and marveling about the beautiful work Maite has done and how elated we are to bring this film out into the world,” said Nina L. Diaz and Liza Burnett Fefferman, Co-Head, MTV Documentary Films. THE ETERNAL MEMORY is a Micromundo and Fabula production. Submarine and United Talent Agency Independent Film Group brokered the deal with MTV Documentary Films on behalf of the filmmakers. UTA also represents Maite Alberdi.
