Film Screening and Discussion: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Part of our Beyond The Page series of films & shows related to AI, technology, and memory.

Join us for a screening followed by a deep-dive discussion on the ethics of memory and the messy beauty of love.

FILM SUMMARY

Much to his surprise, timid Joel Barish is shocked to discover that the love of his life, sparky Clementine, has had him erased from her memory. As a result, hurt and angry, Joel wants to pay her back in the same coin, going as far as to undergo a painless but intricate medical procedure to do the same. However, poor Joel is utterly unaware that darkness is an essential part of the light. And as the once-cherished recollections of Clementine gradually fade away, giving way to a soulless black void, something unexpected happens. Now Joel has second thoughts, toying with the idea of stopping the irreversible process. Who said ignorance is bliss?

Rated R. Run time: 1 hr 48 min.

ABOUT POST FILM DISCUSSION LEADERS JACOB HOEFER AND DIANE ZOMPA

Jacob Hoefer has acclimated to central New Jersey like a tomato to acidic soil. A Rutgers-trained full-stack engineer who found an unexpected calling running Dungeons & Dragons games in Lawrenceville, Jacob is a lover of art history, musical soundtracks, and genre fiction (which he wishes we’d take both more and less seriously). When he isn't wishing he had more time for ASL practice or studying Kanji for an upcoming trip to Japan with Matt, he’s showing off his five Ursula K. Le Guin tattoos. He is a firm believer that community-centered library programs are what keep his feet on the ground.

Diane Zompa earned a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology (Cognition) from the University of Rochester. She dedicated over four decades to public service in New Jersey and NYC government focused on quality & efficiency of service delivery. She has a keen interest in the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a model for understanding human memory, thinking, and language development; as a tool to expand human capacity in speech and facial recognition; and as an adjunct to cognitive and behavioral therapy. In retirement, she stays active as a volunteer at the Pennington Library, as a Master Gardener, and as a quilter for Quilt-for-Kids. Diane also spends as much time as she can paddling her canoe in the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

This event is part of our 2026 Beyond the Page – an initiative designed to broaden our imaginations and understanding of our world, our neighbors, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The featured book Exhalation contains nine stunningly original, provocative, and poignant stories, where author Ted Chiang tackles some of humanity’s oldest questions, along with new quandaries only he could imagine. Please visit PenningtonLibrary.org/2026BeyondThePage for a full calendar of events and more information.

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Host or Publisher Pennington Public Library