Memory Disorders in the Cinematic Universe
By: La
Tags: Memory Disorders, Cinema, Film, Movies, Memory Loss

“ Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” — Dr. Seuss.

Memories are more than simple stored thoughts; they are pure valuable moments that give life meaning. Moreover, movies are a form of visual communication that possess a significant impact on humanity’s state of mind. The portrayal of memory in films possesses beneficial effects as it can educate the audience on the reality of memory disorders, in contrast to some rather adverse effects, which carry misleading depictions of people with memory conditions.

Beneficial Effects of Portrayal

“ We love films and storytelling as a people. It’s just a human compulsion to listen to and tell stories,” — Film composer Mychael Danna.

Although cinema is often deceiving, it still possesses the capacity to educate and remain accurate in certain cases. More explicitly, the movies that adequately depict memory disorders, similar to Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, or Korsakoff’s syndrome, a chronic memory disorder caused by a severe deficiency of thiamine, can enhance the audience’s awareness about how severely these conditions can impact our lives, often causing us to lose sight of ourselves and the overall value of life. The movies that most accurately depict memory disorders include Memento (2000), I Know Who You Are (Sé َQuién Eres) (2000), and Finding Nemo (2003). Consequently, memories are a substantial part of life that guide us through identity and value.

Adverse Effects of the Portrayal

Movies possess a digital world that can capture the viewer’s attention; however, films often involve limited relation to reality. In particular, they depict various memory disorders deceptively, such as amnesic symptoms, post-traumatic amnesia, and amnesic recovery. It is detrimental for movies to portray memory disorders inaccurately, considering the inadequacy of society’s comprehension, support, and proper attitude towards the affected individuals.

Amnesia Symptoms

Firstly, films portray amnesic symptoms inaccurately through major personality and identity loss, although, realistically, the symptoms involve complications in comprehending new information and in recalling previous events alongside an unaffected personality. Amnesic symptoms are imprecisely depicted in the movie Overboard (1987).

Post-traumatic Amnesia

Secondly, films illustrate post-traumatic amnesia with severe loss of autobiographical awareness when, in reality, it defects the ability to apprehend new knowledge. This delusion is represented in the movie Santa Who? (2000).

Amnesiac Recovery

Finally, movies present people with improbable recovery that retrieves the amnesic individual’s personality, identity, and full mental capacity. This treatment occurs through a second head injury, as occurred in the movie Tarzan the Tiger (1922). This is inaccurate, considering memories are not temporarily attainable.

Conclusively, memories are valuable treasures that endure for a lifetime. Movies possess the potency to educate us about the veracity of memory conditions, although, in polarity, they can be deceitful regarding the portrayal of certain disorders. Overall, life would be utterly meaningless without the pure essence of our memories.