The Almond and the Seahorse movie storyline. Sarah, an archeologist, struggles to care for her husband, Joe, who suffers from anterograde amnesia. He has a traumatic brain injury resulting from surgery that removed a benign brain tumor two years ago. As a result, he has severe short-term memory loss, is socially disinhibited, and suffers from mood swings.
Nearby, Toni lives with her romantic partner, Gwen, who has a similar disability. Every day, she wakes up and can’t remember the last 15 years. Before sustaining a TBI in a car accident, Gwen was a cellist, but no longer plays. Toni used to work as an architect, but retired to care for Gwen fulltime. Unfortunately, Gwen grows increasingly distrustful, and is admitted to Open Field TBI Hospital as a live-in patient.
At Open Field, Dr. Falmer tells Sarah that TBI patients used to commonly die, but now the majority survive. This has caused a “silent epidemic” in which spouses and families become primary caregivers. Sarah holds out hope that Joe will recover. Falmer suggests using memory aids to improve his independence.
Sarah records a tape explaining how parts of the brain called the amygdala and hippocampus (the titular “almond” and “seahorse”) allow people to create new memories. These parts of Joe’s brain no longer work correctly. The tape easily explains the situation when he forgets. However, upon being retold, Joe usually grows upset and is unable to fully comprehend the truth. Memory aids, like timers and notes, fail to help him accomplish tasks. His mind is so erratic that he needs personal supervision to simply take his medication.
The Almond and the Seahorse is a 2022 British independent drama film directed by Celyn Jones and Tom Stern and written by Jones and Kaite O’Reilly, based on O’Reilly’s 2008 stage play of the same name. The film stars Trine Dyrholm, Meera Syal, Rebel Wilson and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The story follows the lives of two couples who deal with their loved ones who suffer from anterograde amnesia.
The film premiered at the Zurich Film Festival on 26 September 2022. It was released in select theatres and VOD platforms on December 16, 2022.
The Almond and the Seahorse (2022)
Directed by: Celyn Jones, Tom Stern
Starring: Rebel Wilson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Trine Dyrholm, Celyn Jones, Meera Syal, Rachel Adedeji, Ruth Madeley, Alice Lowe, Tina Louise Owens, Kate Crossley, Maxim Grigorovich, Greta Jones
Screenplay by: Kaite O’Reilly, Celyn Jones
Production Design by: Gini Godwin
Cinematography by: Tom Stern
Film Editing by: Mike Jones
Costume Design by: Adam Howe
Set Decoration by: Clemency Cartwright
Art Direction by: Sue Reeve
Music by: Gruff Rhys
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: IFC Films
Release Date: September 26, 2022 (Zurich), December 16, 2022 (United States)
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