¿Y tú quién eres? (2006). La memoria perdida: una visión de la enfermedad de Alzheimer en el cine

Abstract

The cinema has always been seduced by the loss of memory and its consequences. However, the amnesia portrayed on the big screen is generally more related to head injuries than to degenerative diseases, and the health problems that are of such great importance in today’s society, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias of degenerative origin, have tended to receive far less attention.             The gradual ageing of the general population as from the middle of the last century has meant that this pathology has now become an almost “normal” part of our lives, with its all too tragic socio-economic and family consequences. Here, an attempt is made to reflect on this, taking advantage of the recent work by Antonio Mercero “¿Y tú quién eres?” (And Who Are You?), which can be seen to fill a lagoon present in the Spanish cinema as regards these issues.             Outside Spain, two directors have become deeply involved with Alzheimer’s disease: Juan José Campanella, with Son of the Bride/ El hijo de la Novia, and Richard Eyre, with Iris. Here we compare the work of Mercero with these latter two films from 2001 in the hope that films addressing with the problems of old age will arouse interest in developed countries.