'After' by Nikki Gemmell
Nikki Gemmell
This memoir by Nikki Gemmell explores her mother Elayn’s unexpected suicide in reaction to chronic pain and the subsequent fallout. Elayn was a member of Exit International and Gemmell’s high-profile story was part of the national conversation on legalising assisted dying in Australia.
'Deséenme un buen viaje' by Gina Montaner
Gina Montaner
About to turn 79 and suffering from what seemed to be Parkinson’s, the Cuban-Spanish writer Carlos Alberto Montaner asked his daughter to help him seek an assisted death. In this memoir, Gina Montaner recounts how her father, as a political exile, fought for democratization in Cuba and, as a naturalized citizen, for the right to access legal euthanasia in Spain.
'La luz difícil' by Tomás González
Tomás González
Suffering unbearable pain after a traffic accident left him paraplegic, Jacobo has decided to die in Oregon, where a doctor is willing to assist him; in the meantime, his Colombian-immigrant parents anxiously await news in NYC. Told from the perspective of the painter David, Jacobo’s ageing father, González’s 2011 novel has sparked discussions about assisted dying in Colombia and beyond.
'Lecretia's Choice' by Matt Vickers
Matt Vickers
In this heartfelt memoir, Matt Vickers recounts how he and his wife, prominent lawyer Lecretia Seales who was diagnosed with a brain tumour, fought in the Aotearoa/New Zealand High Court to allow her to choose when she died. Although her case was rejected, Seales’s story influenced subsequent legalisation in the country.
'O último abraço' by Vitor Hugo Brandalise
Vitor Hugo Brandalise
In 2014, 74-year-old Nelson Golla complied with his wife Neusa’s request to die; Neusa was 72 and being fed through a nasogastric tube at a nursing home. Nelson hugged his wife and placed a homemade bomb between them, which killed Neusa and hurt him. The case is reconstructed by Vitor Hugo Brandalise in this book-length investigation, which fomented a debate about old age and euthanasia in Brazil.
'The Easy Way Out' by Steven Amsterdam
Steven Amsterdam
Written by a writer who is also a palliative care nurse, this tragicomic novel examines what life might be like for someone working as a dying assistant if Australia legalised assisted dying. It was published in 2016, just as Australia was beginning to seriously consider legalisation at both the state and federal level.
'Last Flight Home' by Ondi Timoner
Ondi Timoner (director)
Ondi Timoner tells the story of her father, Eli Timoner, a former entrepreneur and founder of an airline, who chooses to end his life by medical assistance in dying under California’s End of Life Option Act.
'Les mots de la fin' by Gaëlle Hardy
Gaëlle Hardy (director and writer), Agnès Lejeune (director and writer)
Marking almost twenty years since the introduction of euthanasia in Belgium, this documentary provides insights from the office of Dr Damas, a physician responsible for assisted dying in a Belgian public hospital.
'October' by Shoojit Sircar
Shoojit Sircar (Director), Juhi Chaturvedi (Writer)
In ‘October,’ Dan gets attached to his coworker Shiuli while waiting for her to recover from a deep coma. During this wait, Dan and Shiuli’s family have multiple conversations about the possibility of ‘pulling the plug.’ ‘October’ subtly broaches the topic of passive euthanasia, and ultimately affirms conventional beliefs held in India about the sacredness of life.
'Simon' by Eddy Terstall
Eddy Terstall (director and writer)
Free-spirited Amsterdam resident Simon suffers from cancer and requests euthanasia, which is possible under Dutch law. The doctor complies with Simon’s request. The film represents euthanasia as one of the major achievements of a free and liberal society, with several progressive politicians citing it as a reflection of Dutch freedoms and values.
'The Mother Situation' by Matt Day
Matt Day (dir.)
In this short film, three adult siblings come together for their mother’s planned assisted death only to discover that she has changed her mind. A blackly comic look at the coercion that could emerge in assisted dying situations, made as Australia was beginning the legalisation process.
'Tout s’est bien passé' by François Ozon
François Ozon (director and writer), Emmanuèle Bernheim (writer), Philippe Piazzo (writer)
Following a transient ischemic attack, André Bernheim, the father of novelist Emmanuèle Bernheim, asks his daughter to help him end his life. The film follows Emmanuèle and her sister, Pascale, as they come to terms with their father’s decision and try to navigate the complex legalities that surround assisted dying for French citizens in Switzerland.
'Witte flits' by Laura Hermanides
Laura Hermanides (director and writer), Roelof Jan Minneboo (writer)
Rick has been suffering from severe psychological issues for twenty years. His persistent wish not to live any longer is acknowledged by a psychiatrist, who assists with his suicide. Rick is actively supported by his parents, who come to recognize the hopelessness of their son’s situation.