'Dead at Noon' by Gillian Bennett
Gillian Bennett
Gillian Bennett took her own life in 2014, 3 years after being diagnosed with dementia. She posted an open letter online explaining her reasons and hoping to reignite the debate about assisted dying in Canada. The law changed soon after.
Coming soon 'Die Fliegengöttin'
Hansjörg Schertenleib
Willem and Eilis de Witt have been married for over 50 years when Eilis is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Willem has already been caring for his wife for two years, but is now reaching the limits of his resilience. While he had promised his wife he would euthanize her if this ever became the case, he refrains from doing so at the last moment.
'In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss' by Amy Bloom
Amy Bloom
In her memoir In Love, Amy Bloom recounts the story of her husband’s death at Dignitas, an accompanied suicide organization in Switzerland, after his diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Woven into Amy’s account of Brian’s illness and death are poignant and darkly funny vignettes of their marriage, and of Amy’s struggle to fulfil Brian’s request for an assisted death.
'Supernova' by Harry Macqueen
Harry Macqueen
Tusker and Sam, romantic partners for over twenty years, face Tusker’s early onset dementia diagnosis by taking a road trip around the United Kingdom to visit their favourite places. All is well until Sam discovers that Tusker plans to end his life before he is dependent on others for his personal care.
'Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die' by Charlie Russell
Charlie Russell (director), Terry Pratchett (writer)
After being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, renown author Terry Pratchett investigates in a television documentary the only assisted death option available to residents of the United Kingdom: travelling to Switzerland to seek the option through Dignitas.
'Un Beau Matin' by Mia Hansen-Løve
Mia Hansen-Løve
Sandra, a single mother of an eight-year-old daughter, accompanies her father through his care after being afflicted with a neurodegenerative disease. The film shows her father’s rapidly deteriorating state and the difficulties posed for the family as he ceases to recognize his family members or surroundings.
'In the Presence of a Spoon' by Karin Wells
Karin Wells
Margot Bentley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1999, after writing a living will in 1991. Her daughter states in this radio documentary that her wish to be euthanized when she could no longer recognize her own family was not honoured by the court due to the fact she would open her mouth in the presence of a spoon while being fed.