'A Good Death' by Jason Warick
Jason Warick; CBC News
A Good Death is a profile of Saskatoon artist Jeanette Lodoen before, during, and after her death by medical assistance in dying. She granted CBC News unrestricted access to herself and her family in her final days because she wanted to share what an assisted death is like with families, health professionals, and lawmakers.
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.
Coming soon 'Lettre à D. Histoire d’un amour'
André Gorz
The social philosopher André Gorz cared for his ill wife Dorine for two decades. In 2007, they took their own lives together. A year earlier, Gorz had published a narrative public love letter to his wife which was subsequently read by both the media and assisted dying interest groups as a farewell letter and explanation of their motivation for suicide.
'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.
'Liebe bis in den Tod' by Barbara Bronnen
Barbara Bronnen
Emmanuel and Käthe Forster have been married for decades when Käthe asks her husband to help her die because she can no longer bear her life due to various diseases. Forster kills her with a shot to the head, but cannot bring himself to take his own life afterwards as planned. He has to stand trial for manslaughter, but Judge Joos releases him with a lenient sentence.
'Amour' by Michael Haneke
Michael Haneke (director and writer)
Diagnosed with a severe, neurodegenerative condition, Anne steadily declines into a state near paralyses, leaving her entirely dependent on her husband, Georges, and the nurses he employs. Following ever-increasing pressures on Georges, he makes the snap decision to suffocate his wife, in what is presented as a mercy killing, calling us to question the definition of an assisted death.
'Me Before You' by Thea Sharrock and Jojo Moyes
Thea Sharrock (director), Jojo Moyes (writer)
Following a road traffic collision, Will Traynor is paralysed and in need of constant care. His parents employ a young woman, Louisa Clark, to care for their son and Will and Louisa strike up an unlikely friendship and, later, a romance. Despite Louisa’s efforts to persuade Will that his life is still worth living, he decides to travel to Switzerland to end his life.
'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.
'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.