'At His Own Wake, Celebrating Life and the Gift of Death' by Catherine Porter
Catherine Porter
In this New York Times cover story, Catherine Porter recounts the assisted death of John Shields, an activist, environmentalist, and union leader from Vancouver Island. The article appeared shortly before the one-year anniversary of the legalization of medical assistance in dying in Canada and explores how assisted death impacts the rituals surrounding death.
'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.
'Bhangaar | Obsolete' by Sumira Roy
Sumira Roy (Director)
This quiet documentary displays the daily lives and material reality of octogenarian couple Narayan and Iravati Lavate who rose to prominence in 2018 for their plea to die by state-sanctioned euthanasia despite being physically and mentally healthy. The film humanizes Narayan and Iravati, showing the legal, societal and ethical resistance to their desire to “die with dignity.”
'Les Invasions barbares' by Denys Arcand
Denys Arcand (director and writer)
In the absence of adequate palliative pain relief and palliative care provision, Rémy begins taking heroin to combat his cancer-induced suffering. As his condition deteriorates, he decides that he wants to end his life. With the help of his family and friends, he is given an overdose of heroin and passes away peacefully with his family around him.