By Patricia Taculao-Deligero
Dominic Czarnota‘s poignant short film, LOVE ETERNAL, delves into the intricate landscape of love and loss in an era of technological advancements. The film grapples with navigating these fundamental human experiences when technology offers unprecedented ways to preserve and recreate aspects of what we’ve lost.
The short drama sci-fi film centers on Paul, a widower portrayed by Filipino actor Anthony Sayo, who becomes deeply immersed in a virtual reality simulation. This technology allows him to interact with a digital avatar of his deceased wife, effectively keeping her “alive” in a virtual space. Czarnota, drawing upon his background in software engineering, was inspired by the rapid progress in AI and machine learning. He sought to explore the anxieties and hopes surrounding these advancements through the lens of science fiction. The genre is a powerful platform to pose crucial “what if” questions about grief, love, and remembrance. It prompts audiences to consider the ethical implications of such technological applications and their potential cost to humanity.
Sayo’s portrayal of Paul resonates with raw emotion, drawing from his own experiences with heartbreak. In the narrative, the virtual reality program evolves to a point where the digital avatar develops her feelings and a sense of confinement within the simulated relationship. This leads Paul to suspect a malfunction initially, but he soon confronts the complex reality that love and emotions cannot be controlled, whether in the real world or digital. He learns a difficult lesson about letting go and the potential for technology to create an illusion of control where none truly exists.
Sayo emphasizes the film’s layered exploration of romantic relationships, highlighting the universal journey of falling in love, staying in love, and navigating its inevitable challenges. He hopes viewers will connect with the film through their experiences with love and loss, recognizing the difficult path of healing and the potential pitfalls of clinging to what is gone.
“I hope that people who watch and experience the film will be able to relate to it with their own experiences. Falling in love, staying in love, and navigating romantic relationships is a journey. There are many layers to this film. Loving someone and then losing someone that you love will have to be one of the lowest points perhaps in our life, but it’s up to us to decide how to navigate this road. Whether we choose to go on a path of letting go or healing or try to keep something already lost, try to grasp it with all our power and might only to see our efforts eventually ruin us,” Anthony said.
The film’s intricate narrative is a testament to Czarnota’s clear directorial vision and meticulous planning. Sayo praised Czarnota’s leadership on set, noting his ability to guide the cast and crew effectively. He also lauded the contributions of his co-stars, Anika Kulander and Brooke Bayer, whose strong performances enhance the film’s dramatic impact.
LOVE ETERNAL has been selected to be featured at the upcoming 15th Fort Myers Film Festival, from May 14 to 18, 2025, in Southwest Florida. The short film will be screened on May 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the Sidney & Bernes Davis Art Center.
Visit www.fortmyersfilmfestival.com or follow www.facebook.com/fortmyersfilmfestival for updates and event details.