The Mole Agent (2020)

For our next documentary, we're switching gears! With the holiday season approaching and many of us spending more time with family, I thought we'd watch something that explores family relationships, aging, and the importance of staying connected to the people in our lives .

The Mole Agent is a Chilean documentary about an 83-year-old man hired to go undercover in a nursing home in Santiago. What starts as an unusual detective story turns into a much deeper exploration of loneliness, friendship, dignity, and the importance of human connection. The film questions what adult children owe their aging parents. Is providing a safe place to live enough, or does family also mean making time for visits, companionship, and emotional support? How much should we be expected to rearrange our own lives to care for aging parents? Despite its seemingly somber subject matter, the film is surprisingly funny, heartwarming, and uplifting..

The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, won numerous international awards, and even inspired the Netflix comedy series A Man on the Inside.

It's a wonderful film that tackles some difficult subjects with humor, warmth, and compassion. Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts!

The film is in Spanish with English subtitles and is available to watch for free on Kanopy (with your library card) and on YouTube.

Note a different time and location for the next meetup. Well be meeting at Starbucks at 11701 SW Pacific Hwy in Tigard.