When I arrived at this beach in Montauk, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d stepped into a frame of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. If you’ve seen the movie, you know how these snow-covered dunes and the weathered fence play such a quiet yet pivotal role in the story. It’s here that Joel and Clementine’s chaotic, beautiful connection begins to unravel and come back together, all in the same breath.

The beach, covered in snow, had that same dreamlike quality that director Michel Gondry captured so perfectly. The fence, weathered by the salty air and tangled with wire, seemed to echo the fragility of memory—both broken and held together at the same time. Behind it, the Atlantic was restless, just like the emotions the movie stirs every time I watch it.

Standing here, I thought about Joel’s line: “I could die right now. I’m just happy. I’ve never felt that before. I’m just exactly where I want to be.” This beach doesn’t just feel like a location—it feels like a character in the story, holding its secrets in the cold, crisp air.

I shot this on a frigid February day, and the solitude of winter added another layer of intimacy to the scene. It was like the beach had been left just for me, frozen in time, much like Joel and Clementine’s memories. If you’re a fan of Eternal Sunshine, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say this place feels like the very heart of the film.