By Ronette Tibay
When almost every aspect of life can be augmented or achieved through technology, how does a person grieve a loss of a loved one?
In a haunting exploration of digital afterlife, 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 last February 16, 2025, one of the coveted Genre Film Festivals in the world, the film delves into a near-future world where virtual reality serves as a conduit of human emotion.
Directed and 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.
Craftily depicted in an introspective way, 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 – true to the film’s main purpose.
“The most challenging aspect of creating ‘Love Eternal’ was ensuring that technology remained a mere vessel for exploring genuine human emotion,” Czarnota explains. “We crafted a unique narrative that we hope the audiences can relate with and I’m really excited for the audience to experience this emotional journey and witness my team’s hard work come to life on screen.”
To bring this vision to life, Czarnota assembled a powerful cast that gracefully brings life to the characters. Anthony Sayo, who plays the role of Paul, brings a deeply personal perspective to his 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 reveals.
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, in the face of technology, even when it seems impossible.”
Along with Sayo, stars Anika Kulander who plays the role of Sophie and Brooke Bayer who portrays Ada.
Known as the longest-running genre festival in the U.S., the annual Boston Sci-Fi celebrated its 50th anniversary, featuring over 30 features, 80 shorts, and 10 workshops/panels as a hybrid event from February 12 to 17, 2025.
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