This short animated film, created by combining analog ink and digital frame-by-frame animation, aims to present the emotional state of an Alzheimer’s patient through an abstract narrative, specifically the uncertainty, fear, and helplessness they experience.
The concept of entropy, defined as a measure of disorder and the tendency of systems to become more chaotic over time, is used as a metaphor for the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. As time passes, memories fade, and a person’s sense of self gradually deteriorates. Just like entropy, which increases irreversibly and inevitably, Alzheimer’s represents a decline that cannot be reversed or stopped like an unavoidable consequence of time.
Each scene explores a different aspect of the disease. The first scene focuses on the confusion and fear that arise when the individual can no longer recognize themselves in the mirror. The following scene emphasizes the irreversible and inescapable nature of the disease. This is symbolized by a door closing signifying the impossibility of returning to prior brain functions or stopping the progression. In the final scene, the film references a handwriting test commonly used in patient evaluations. The degradation of the patient’s handwriting over time is shown, becoming increasingly illegible. This deterioration is animated starting from the end of the note to the beginning, mirroring how recent memories are lost first, while older memories linger longer.
In addition to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, the project seeks to portray the emotional turmoil and confusion experienced by patients as accurately as possible. It also aims to help caregivers and those close to the patients empathize with what their loved ones are going through. The film was designed to serve as an emotional and accessible resource, especially for those without a medical background who may find it difficult to interpret academic articles or scientific sources while trying to understand the disease.
A lot of time was dedicated to researching the subject and conducting interviews with neurologists to capture the emotions and internal struggles of Alzheimer’s patients as authentically as possible. It was truly rewarding to explore this topic from a deeply emotional perspective while also incorporating medical evidence.
Still-Frames
