Chris Esper‘s 2024 short film Short Memories is, in essence, an ode to the lost. Those folks who have lost themselves to the brutal disease: Alzheimer’s, AKA Dementia. Loved ones watch as the afflicted family member, spouse, or friend have their memories removed. Bit by bit.
Their world becomes smaller and smaller; ever decreasing circles that leave them nothing.
It is beyond brutal.
The story
Anna, an older woman, has her memories removed via a fierce unrelenting disease. She struggles to hold on to them. We view her battle.
The main Cast
Sissy O’Hara is old Anna.
Alyson Muzila is middle-age Anna.
Gabriella Spinney is young Anna.
The supporting players
Christie Devine is Noelle.
Nick Wakely is younger husband.
Lily Ewald is Noelle.
Tim Connelly is middle aged husband.
This works
Esper writes and directs this sad story about Anna losing her memories. Set in a black room surrounded by open frame bookcases, Anna is fighting, for what remains of her memory all those things special to her.
The surrounding black area may be Anna’s previous memories. Already lost thoughts and life events. The ones remain now only existing on the sparse bookcases.
Nelson Reis as cinematographer presents each frame accordingly. Reis uses an autumnal tint for some scenes. Other hues and focus are added to the scenes as they play out.
The actors all bring a sense of truth to their roles. Sissy O’Hara, in the unenviable role of old Anna, knocks this one out of the park. As does Christie Devine as Noelle Anna’s daughter. Kudos to the entire cast is in order here though.
Timing is everything
As someone who lost one parent to Alzheimer’s and the survivor now going through the throes of this devastating disease, this one hits hard. Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s or “senility.” The new cancer invading our minds is called many names.
All of them equal misery.
Not just for family members but those who are suffering from this heinous disease. Chris as well as the cast and crew put together a glimpse of one woman’s battle with her lost memories. We cannot know just how each person deals with the loss of their life’s treasures; ones that take a lifetime to build up only to be torn down.
One memory at a time.
The Verdict
Distant Memories is a solid 4 star effort. Utilizing a short time frame of just over 22 minutes, Chris manages to show just how heartwrenching this disease is.
The Trailer
*If anyone in your family has Alzheimer’s, contact a support group. You are not alone.*
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