‘Love Eternal’ premieres at Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival

When almost every aspect of life can be augmented or achieved through technology, how does a person grieve the loss of a loved one?

Los Angeles-based Filipino actor Anthony Sayo plays Paul who turns to VR simulation to recreate his deceased wife. PHOTO FROM LOVE ETERNAL FILM 

In a haunting exploration of the digital afterlife, Los Angeles-based filmmaker and cinematographer Dominic Czarnota’s latest short film, “Love Eternal,” confronts the most human of experiences — grief — through an unprecedented technological lens.

Premiering at the prestigious Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival on February 16 — one of the world’s most celebrated genre film festivals — the movie delves into a near-future world where virtual reality serves as a conduit for human emotion.

Also written by Czarnota, the film centers on Paul, who becomes entangled in a morally complex journey after losing his wife, Sophie. When traditional mourning proves insufficient, Paul turns to a cutting-edge VR simulation that recreates his deceased wife as a digital avatar.

Thoughtfully depicted with depth and introspection, Czarnota’s work strikes a delicate balance between the potential of technology and the irreplaceable elements of human emotion and connection, bringing a unique perspective on how technology — specifically virtual reality and artificial intelligence in the sci-fi genre — can reimagine human loss and memory.

“The most challenging aspect of creating ‘Love Eternal’ was ensuring that technology remained a mere vessel for exploring genuine human emotion,” Czarnota says in an online interview. “We crafted a unique narrative that we hope audiences can relate to, and I’m really excited for them to experience this emotional journey and witness my team’s hard work come to life on screen.”To bring his vision to life, Czarnota assembled a strong cast that brings richness to the characters. Los Angeles-based Filipino actor Anthony Sayo, who plays Paul, delivers a deeply personal performance.

“I’ve experienced love and loss in my own life, which allows me to access a profound emotional depth. There’s a truth to Paul’s grief that resonates with my own experiences of heartbreak and loss. As artists, we feel emotions with an intensity that allows us to transform personal pain into universal storytelling,” Sayo shares. .Sayo hopes the film will create a moment of genuine human connection. “My greatest wish is that audiences will see themselves in Paul’s journey,” he says. “Grief is a universal language, and this film speaks to our fundamental human desire to hold onto love, even in the face of technology, when it seems impossible.”Along with Sayo, the film stars Anika Kulander as Sophie and Brooke Bayer as Ada.

Known as the longest-running genre festival in the US, the annual Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival opened on Feb. 12. Running through Feb. 17, it is celebrating its 50th anniversary by screening over 30 features and 80 shorts and hosting workshops and panels as a hybrid event. —  Ronette Tibay