In times of despair, there’s one thing we can always count on.
The Oscars.
Do you know what can shut down the Oscars?
Nothing.
Not war, not terrorists, not hurricanes, not racism.
Most certainly not a global pandemic.
This year’s ceremony heralded the Academy’s tenacity in the face of COVID-19, which has challenged the industry in more ways than one. No matter! Perseverance is art! No one embraces that more than Hollywood. In fact, they gave themselves their own award for it.
That’s right. The Oscars won an Oscar for playing the role of Decent Human Beings.
So, yes, per usual the Oscar ceremony gave us monumental highs and mind-boggling lows. Of course the most notable topic of conversation is Anthony Hopkin’s surprising win over the late Chadwick Boseman, the presumed winner. The producers literally planned their entire night around honoring Boseman. Then Joaquin Phoenix was like “mumble mumble acting mumble mumble this is a hostage situation mumble mumble Anthony Hopkins” and it was over.
The Joker loves chaos. We should have known.
Lost in all the hoopla was one man who didn’t receive the attention he deserved.
Nope, not that guy. Yeah, his film was nominated (devil pact) but it got awkward when the Academy had to tell him his invitation “got lost in the mail…”.
Valid guy, but no. Although, if he had come out at the end to explain what happened and how it happened, that would have been appreciated. We needed clarity, Bill! Cold, hard facts! Where the hell were you??
This guy!
Who is This Guy?
If you recognize him, we’re best friends now.
Sergio Chamy stars in The Mole Agent, a documentary from Chile that follows the 83 year old as he infiltrates a nursing home.
How Does an 83 Year Old Infiltrate a Nursing Home?
See? This film already has you asking questions.
A woman is concerned her mother, a resident at the facility, is being abused and neglected. She hires a private detective, Romulo Aitken, who then puts out this help wanted ad:
ELDERLY MALE NEEDED. Retired, between 80 and 90 years old. Independent, discrete, and competent with technology.
Sergio gets the job and eagerly jumps into his new career as a spy.
His objective is clear; befriend the resident in question, document and record any misconduct or abuse, and check in daily with Detective Aitken.
Spy-in-Training Montage
Sergio lifts weights! Sergio dices an onion while blindfolded! Sergio runs up a flight of stairs!
Just kidding. Sergio learns how to use a smartphone.
To Infiltrate and Beyond!
It would be trite to describe Sergio as charming. He’s effortlessly so, but more importantly he’s genuine. The recent passing of his wife plays a pivotal role in both Sergio’s motivations and the trajectory of the documentary. He wants to help. He wants to connect. He wants to be distracted.
He wants to do something.
Sergio’s arrival at the facility has an immediate impact on all the residents, except one. Sonia refuses to speak to him. This would be fine with Sergio, who happily respects boundaries (as much as a spy can) except, well, talking to Sonia is his job. She’s the target and she’s having none of it.
As Sergio’s three-month assignment continues, we meet a carousel of magnificent characters. We come to know them even as they have forgotten themselves. Whether their memories are sharp or elusive, their essence still remains, and Sergio consistently finds it. It’s that intangible part of the self he never fails to see and it’s why residents seem to open their eyes wider, lift their heads higher, and find peace in their vulnerability when he’s around them.
Some of the most beautiful scenes are poignant and breathtaking (one resident’s consistent cries echo Anthony Hopkins at the end of The Father), but there’s a twist amongst all these feelings. This documentary is also very, very funny. There’s an 84 year old virgin who sets her sights on Sergio, a thief to be caught, and a frustrated boss who just wants Sergio to FaceTime him, for the love of God. All in all, Sergio’s adventure captures all the nuances of life kept behind the walls of a home for the elderly, who live in a cone of time that narrows and narrows until it reaches the final, conclusive point.
Eventually, Sergio’s time at the nursing home comes to an end as he finishes his investigation with troubling and heartbreaking discoveries. What we’re left with is a film that challenges our ideas of aging, our feelings towards the elderly, and questions not only how we spend our time on this Earth, but how we share it.
Sergio Was at the Oscars and I Didn’t Know?!
It’s true. The Mole Agent was nominated for Best Documentary. Director Maite Alberdi was in attendance and Sergio was her date. Traveling to Los Angeles marked the first time in his life he’d ever been on a plane.
The Octopus Teacher reigned victorious in that category and while it’s not a bad film, it certainly didn’t have the lasting impact of the other nominees. It feels akin to The Bee Movie besting films like Coco, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, and The Iron Giant.
An Oscar loss can never diminish a light that breaks through, though a win can help others see it when they otherwise might shield their eyes. If you’re in need of a post-Oscars palette cleanser, wander over to Hulu and spend 90 minutes with Sergio Chamy.
It’s worth your time.
Lemon Squeezy 