DirecÂtor Hirokazu Kore-eda’s 1999 film AfterÂlife tasks its recentÂly deceased charÂacÂters with choosÂing a sinÂgle memÂoÂry to take with them, as they move into the great unknown.
The subÂjects of “On MemÂoÂry,” above, are all very much alive, but they too, have great cause to sift through a lifeÂtime’s worth of memÂoÂries. All have been diagÂnosed with Alzheimer’s disÂease. They range in age from 48 to 70. Two have been livÂing with their diagÂnoses for six years. The baby of the group received hers just last year.
Those who have no perÂsonÂal conÂnecÂtion to Alzheimer’s are likeÂly to have a clearÂer picÂture of the disease’s advanced stage than its earÂly preÂsenÂtaÂtion. A few minÂutes with MyrÂiÂam MarÂquez, Lon Cole, Frances Smersh, Irene Japha, NanÂcy JohnÂson, and Bob WellingÂton should remÂeÂdy that.
All six are able to recall and describe the sigÂnifÂiÂcant events of their youth. At the interviewer’s request, they reflect on the pain of losÂing beloved parÂents and the pleaÂsure of first kissÂes. Their powÂers of senÂsoÂry recall bring back their earÂliÂest memÂoÂries, includÂing what the weathÂer was like that day.
The recent past? Much hazier. At present, these indiÂvidÂuÂals’ mild cogÂniÂtive impairÂment resemÂble benign age-relatÂed memÂoÂry slips quite closeÂly. Their diagÂnoses are what lends urgency to their answers. The prospect of forÂgetÂting chilÂdren and spouse’s names is very real to them.
KnowlÂedge of the interÂvieÂwees’ diagÂnoses can’t but help sharpÂen viewÂers’ eyes for disÂtinct facial expresÂsions, speech patÂterns, and indiÂvidÂual temÂperaÂments. They share a comÂmon diagÂnoÂsis, but for now, there’s no difÂfiÂculÂty disÂtinÂguishÂing between the six unique perÂsonÂalÂiÂties, each informed by a wealth of expeÂriÂence.
The video is a step up for viral video proÂducÂer Cut, creÂator of such interÂnet senÂsaÂtions as the Truth or Drink series and GrandÂmas SmokÂing Weed for the First Time. This video, which directs viewÂers to the Alzheimer’s AssoÂciÂaÂtion for more inforÂmaÂtion, deserves an even wider audiÂence.
RelatÂed ConÂtent:
PlayÂing an InstruÂment Is a Great WorkÂout For Your Brain: New AniÂmaÂtion Explains Why
Ayun HalÂlÂiÂday is an author, illusÂtraÂtor, and Chief PriÂmaÂtolÂoÂgist of the East VilÂlage Inky zine. FolÂlow her @AyunHalliday




