Assisted Suicide in Belgium

A Williams student, Ananya Mayukha, alerted us to an Economist video, 24 and Ready to Die, that focuses on Assisted Suicide Belgique. At 22 minutes, it is well-worth watching.

24 yo subject of Economist film

 This is a moving film that raises n=many questions and does not try to provide facile answers.

The Farewell Party

This is an Israeli film about assisted suicide and euthanasia.

See posting on KOHD Blog.

The Suicide Tourist

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"Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker John Zaritsky, The Suicide Tourist is a portrait of Craig Ewert's final days as the Chicago native pursues a physician-assisted suicide in the one place where it's legal for foreigners to come to end their lives: Switzerland. With unique access to Dignitas, the Swiss nonprofit that has helped more than 1,000 people die since 1998, The Suicide Tourist follows Ewert as he debates the morality -- and confronts the reality -- of choosing to die before his disease further ravages his body, and he loses the option to die without unbearable suffering."  2010.  55 minutes  Frontline Information and Video Link.

This is a memorable and thought-provoking documentary.

Dormant Beauty (2014)

Bella Adormantata (Ialian with English subtitles)

In 2009 the young Eluana Englaro because of an incident remains in a coma. The girl is deemed incurable and therefore the parents opt to commit an act of euthanasia for their daughter; but in Italy it isn't a legal to do this particular process, for which the Church and politics are hurled ruthlessly against the parents of Eluana. In the mean time some episodes occur among acquaintances of the girl, a young woman decides to kill herself wanting to ingest a massive dose of heroin, but she is persuaded to stop by a nurse; while a member of the political government of Berlusconi refuses to align himself with the party and plans to vote against a bill that will make euthanasia illegal.

NY Times Review June 6, 2014

How to Die in Oregon (2011)

This is an amazing and important documentary.  The Death With Dignity movement has become politicized.  Politicians and the medical societies seem to want to dictate how the public should be treated. Here in Massachusetts, we have a ballot initiative and the Massachusetts Medical Association recently sent a letter to all doctors urging us to vote against any type of death with dignity program.  Actually initiatives such as the one in Oregon do not require the active participation of a physician -- just a physician's order for Seconal or a similar drug.

"How to Die in Oregon" follows some brave people in their quest for a timely death.  It shows both sides.  One patient found the idea offensive, and strangely his insurance carrier (in his case Medicaid) seemed to suggest that option and he felt it was to save money.

The Death with Dignity movement will gather supporters in many other states.  Washington has followed Oregon's lead, and hopefully the people of Massachusetts will not listen to organized medicine but will allow individual patients to make this decision.

Here is a thoughtful review from the web.  You can get the film at NetFlix  2011  107 minutes

Official Web Site where you can order a copy if you want one.

You Don't Know Jack (2010)

This is an amazing movie, a great introduction to the area. Here's what Netflix says: "Al Pacino stars in this Emmy-winning biopic that focuses on the life of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the controversial physician who boldly advocated the legalization of euthanasia and personally helped more than 100 terminally ill patients commit suicide. Directed by Hollywood veteran Barry Levinson, the made-for-cable drama also stars Susan Sarandon as vocal activist Janet Good and John Goodman as Kevorkian's trusted friend and supporter Neal Nicol.

The HBO biopic is based on the book “Between the Dying and the Dead: Dr. Jack Kevorkian's Life and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia,” by Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie.

The Sea Inside

The Sea Inside (Mar Adentro) is a powerfully moving film about a quedriplegic's rightto determine his fate. It raises many important "moral" and "ethical" issues.

This is the real life story of Spaniard Ramón Sampedro, who fought a 30-year campaign to win the right to end his life with dignity. It explores Ramón's relationships with two women: Julia, a lawyer who supports his cause, and Rosa, a local woman who wants to convince him that life is worth living. Through the gift of his love, these two women are inspired to accomplish things they never previously thought possible. Despite his wish to die, Ramón taught everyone he encountered the meaning, value and preciousness of life. Though he could not move himself, he had an uncanny ability to move others.

In Spain, the former sailor Ramón Sampedro has been quadriplegic for twenty-eight years and is fighting in court for his right of practicing euthanasia through an association that defends the freedom of choice and leaded by his friend Géne. Ramón is introduced to the lawyer that is defending his cause, Julia, who has a degenerative fatal disease; and meets Rosa, a lonely worker that has been abused by men. Their relationship changes the behavior and viewpoint of life of Rosa and Julia. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil