Canadian Filmmakers Andrew Moodie and Emily Hurson Bring “MEMENTO MORI” to Life with Honesty and Heart

Toronto, ON – Canadian actor, director, and writer Andrew Moodie, alongside actor and writer Emily Hurson, has unveiled their latest short film, MEMENTO MORI. The Latin phrase translates to “remember you die,” and the film explores the complex emotions that arise when confronted with mortality. MEMENTO MORI is Moodie’s brainchild, fresh off its win for Best Short Film (Audience Award) at the Toronto Independent Film Festival. Inspired by Moodie’s late friend Bonnie, the film offers a touching portrayal of loss, life, and the Canadian Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program.

Bonnie, who had struggled with Parkinson’s disease for many years, made the decision to participate in MAiD. The concept was new to Moodie, who didn’t know how to process being present for someone’s final moments. “It’s a daunting honour,” Andrew Moodie reflects, as the film recounts how this experience left a profound impact on him, one he wasn’t prepared for but felt obligated to face. MEMENTO MORI navigates the delicate space between the inevitability of death and the celebration of a life well-lived.

Canadian Filmmakers Andrew Moodie and Emily Hurson Bring “MEMENTO MORI” to Life with Honesty and Heart

The story stayed with Moodie, prompting him to turn his grief into art. He reached out to Hurson, and together with a talented cast—including Jean Yoon, best known for her role as Umma on CBC’s Kim’s Convenience—they began to unpack the fears surrounding death and bring attention to an unfamiliar process. Through their collaboration, they explored the deeper layers of mortality, loss, and the fragility of life.

“MEMENTO MORI is about shedding light on the unspoken, and the uncomfortable truth we all face: that one day, we will die. But within that truth is a celebration of life,” Moodie says. The film delves into how loss often sparks introspection about our own mortality, a reality many of us choose to avoid. “The film is a sobering reminder to live fully every day, because life is a gift we must not waste.”

The film doesn’t just focus on the grief of losing a loved one, but also on the importance of accepting death as a part of life. It reminds viewers that life’s impermanence should inspire them to live with more purpose. “We may write scripts for our lives, but life itself has other plans,” Moodie muses. Through this exploration, MEMENTO MORI delivers a powerful message: respect life by acknowledging its inevitable end.

Andrew Moodie’s career is well-established in Canadian theatre and television. The award-winning actor, writer, and director is known for his roles in Orphan Black as Simon Frontenac and Dark Matter as Teku Fonsei. In addition to his on-screen performances, Moodie’s stage work includes his celebrated plays Riot and Toronto The Good. His passion for storytelling is evident in every project he takes on, and MEMENTO MORI continues his tradition of exploring hard-hitting social and emotional themes.

As the film circulates on the festival circuit, it leaves audiences with one essential message: live your life with meaning, for it can be gone in an instant. Moodie’s personal journey through grief has birthed a project that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving, reminding us to cherish every moment we have.

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