Eternity and a Day
Eternity and a Day is an impressive drama film by Theo Angelopoulos. It was published in 1998 but it is still powerful today because it focuses on universal themes like refugees, time, memory, loneliness, and human connection. These are still important, even though the film was made many years ago.
The story is about a writer who thinks about his life and memories in his last days. Our main character, Alexander, is an old and ill writer. During the film, he remembers his old memories. At this point, we see his wife Anna. She appears only in his memories. She reminds him of love and sadness. The last character is the Albanian boy who accompanies our character throughout the film. Alexander helps the boy and the boy helps him find meaning in his life.
Angelopoulos’s filmmaking style is poetic and thoughtful. He often uses long, continuous shots that pull the audience into the characters’ feelings. In Eternity and a Day, this style creates a dreamy atmosphere, mixing memories and reality. The film’s focus on time is especially powerful.
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I watched the film for the first time in 2021 and I was affected by the movie. I liked the director’s perspective and storytelling style but I didn’t pay attention to the refugee aspect at that time. I just focused on the existential crisis and love themes. Now, after four years, I see. In film, the refugee problem in this film is not just a political issue but a deeply human one, shown with empathy through the story of an unnamed Albanian boy. After I realized that I liked the film even more. I think the boy’s situation makes Alexander realize that there are more urgent problems than his own. It is hard to explain my feelings about the film but I felt Alexander’s struggle and I empathized a lot.
It is a slow and long film, if you like this kind of film I recommend it. For me along with its story, the film was remarkable with beautiful music and amazing visuals. After watching it, I still find myself asking “How long will tomorrow last?”
As I said if you like fast and exciting stories, Eternity and a Day might not be for you. But if you enjoy deep, thoughtful films with beautiful visuals, this is a must-watch. If you let yourself get lost in its slow, poetic pace, you’ll find a story that stays with you long after the movie ends.
some quotes from the film:
My only regret, Anna — but is it only one? — is to not have finished anything. I left all as a draft, shattered words here and there.
I know that one you will leave. The wind pushes your eyes away but today give me this day as if it was the last.
Why, mother, nothing happens as we wish? Why? Why does one have to rot in silence torn between pain and desire? Why did I live my life in exile. Tell me mother, why can’t one learn to love?
