Forthcoming 'Bill C7'
Jane Shi
In a 10-word poem entitled ‘Bill C7: An Overview of Available Help’, Jane Shi responds critically to the extension of Canada’s medical assistance in dying regime to include people whose death is not reasonably foreseeable, but who nevertheless have a serious medical condition.
'Obituary' by Sathya Dhara Kovac
Sathya Dhara Kovac
In this self-written obituary to her loved ones, Sathya Kovac condemns the societal structures that led to her death by medical assistance in dying on October 3, 2022, at the age of 44. Sathya points not to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as the cause of her death, but rather the lack of supports and services that would have promoted her independence and quality of life.
'All is Beauty/The Most Beautiful Exit' by Simons
La Maison Simons, Broken Heart Love Affair
The advertisement All is Beauty depicts in a positive light the final days of a woman’s life prior to her choosing to receive an assisted death. It was, however, pulled after news reports revealed that the protagonist had been vocal about the lack of support for her illness, and how this influenced her desire for an assisted death.
'Better Off Dead?' by Liz Carr and James Routh
Liz Carr (writer/presenter), James Routh (director)
This BBC documentary follows actor and disability campaigner Liz Carr as she explores reasons why assisted dying, which she calls assisted suicide, should not be legalised in the UK. It is unusual both for constituting a mainstream programme that openly opposes legalisation of assisted dying, and for doing so using humour.
Forthcoming 'Better Off Dead?'
Liz Carr (writer/presenter), James Routh (director)
This BBC documentary follows actor and disability campaigner Liz Carr as she explores reasons why assisted dying, which she calls assisted suicide, should not be legalised in the UK. It is unusual both for constituting a mainstream programme that openly opposes legalisation of assisted dying, and for doing so using humour.
'Intouchables' by Olivier Nakache
Olivier Nakache (director and writer), Éric Toledano (director and writer), Philippe Pozzo di Borgo (writer)
Based on a true story, this film recounts the unlikely friendship between Philippe, a very wealthy, widowed quadriplegic, and his hired caregiver Driss, a young man living in Paris’ poorer suburbs. As they get to know and come to trust one another, each shows the other something of his way of life, rekindling in the process his respective sense of purpose and joie de vivre.
'Is it too easy to die in Canada?' by The Fifth Estate
The Fifth Estate (CBC News), Gillian Findlay
This documentary explores medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada as Parliament prepares to remove the exclusion in the law that does not allow people to access MAID if their sole criteria for access is a mental illness. The documentary takes a critical stance, introducing viewers to instances where MAID was seemingly approved for non-medical reasons or in reaction to mental health crises.
'O Sentido da Vida' by Stop eutanásia
Stop eutanásia
Through succinct scenes and tableaux, this short film produced by the Portuguese anti-euthanasia group ‘Stop eutanásia’ casts euthanasia as the antithesis to hope, encouraging viewers to ‘say yes to life.’ It was circulated on social media amidst increasing debates in Portugal about legalizing euthanasia in 2021.
'Video Statement' by Sophia
Sophia (pseudonym)
In this video statement, Sophia describes her struggle to find suitable housing for her multiple chemical sensitivities shortly before her medically assisted death. The video became a touchstone in disability rights discourse for activists arguing that Canada’s medical assistance in dying regime lacks sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable people.
'Recordings' by Roger Foley
Roger Foley
In these audio recordings, Roger Foley discusses medical assistance in dying with staff of the hospital where he lives. In the conversations, hospital staff raise the possibility of medical assistance in dying as Roger, who never mentioned the issue, asserts his need for self-directed funding so he can live in the community.