Trauma, Guilt, Identity, Time, and Narrative
Discussing Memento Today (Zoom Link Below)
Hi, all!
I look forward to our Memento discussion today (SATURDAY, June 1st) at 2 pm ET (this is 11 am PT, 1 pm CT, 7 pm UK, 8 pm EU). HERE is the ZOOM LINK.
Here is my initial post about the film.
I watched Memento again tonight (the second time this week) and was struck by some more possible discussion topics:
According to the film, what forms an identity? What is identity beyond the “objective” things that we know and remember a person (or ourselves)? Think about Leonard’s very different identities as a suited insurance clams investigator and a heavily tattooed, nomadic avenger.
Discuss the role of guilt in the film.
Is Leonard’s “condition” physiological or psychological?
The practice of psychoanalysis involves the act of renarrating life events in order to remember and process them. Consider this when thinking about this poignant quote from Leonard:
“How am I supposed to heal if I can’t feel time?”
How is Leonard’s own writing weaponized and manipulated by others? By himself?
Does Leonard truly allow himself to remember “how much he hates” the person who “took her [his wife] away? Who is that person?
Is Teddy a more reliable narrator than Leonard?
Here is Christopher Nolan’s brother, Jonathan, talking about the origin story of the film:
Another great interview with Christopher Nolan about Memento:
FOR FUN: Cillian Murphy and Christopher Nolan talking about their favorite films:
NEXT WEEK’s FILM:
Next week, we will watch and discuss Sarah Polley’s 2012 documentary The Stories We Tell. You can rent it on Apple+ or watch it free at the following locations:
