‘Marieke, addicted to life’ by Pola Rapaport

In the documentary Marieke, Addicted to Life, the American filmmaker Pola Rapaport follows the Belgian wheelchair athlete Marieke Vervoort in the final years of her life. Vervoort, who suffers from the degenerative muscle disease progressive myelopathy, increasingly struggles with the effects of her illness. In 2019, she states that her suffering has become unbearable and requests euthanasia, which is granted. The documentary extensively reflects on Vervoort’s life, highlighting the many ups and downs she experienced. For instance, footage from 2007 is shown when Vervoort was in a very poor condition and admitted she did not dare to look into the future. At that time, she began considering euthanasia for the first time and, together with her doctors, ensured that everything was arranged in case her wish for euthanasia becomes urgent. Ultimately, the euthanasia takes place more than ten years later and after she had won four Paralympic medals, following her mother’s recovery from a severe lung infection and her sister giving birth to a child. The documentary shows Vervoort completing her bucket list (e.g. bungee jumping, skydiving, car racing) during her final phase of life, spending time with friends and family, and also depicts her suffering from physical pain and other symptoms.

Rapaport’s documentary portrays euthanasia and Belgium’s end-of-life legislation in a positive light. Vervoort is outspoken about the value that the option of euthanasia presents for her. She argues that this option provides peace of mind, thus extending life and even serving as a form of suicide prevention. The doctor who accompanies Vervoort in the euthanasia procedure is Wim Distelmans, a palliative care physician and one of the most prominent advocates of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Belgium. He states that the loss of control and autonomy are typically the main reasons people choose euthanasia. The documentary shows how Vervoort approaches death with a certain ambivalence. She has nightmares about dying and fantasizes about an end of life for which she does not have to make the decision herself, although in her final days, Vervoort expresses relief at finally being freed from her painful body. Ambivalence is also evident in the reactions of Vervoort’s loved ones to her decision for euthanasia: although they think that it is the best option for Vervoort, they also find it difficult to accept. The film reflects the media and public fascination with the contrast between the strong athlete and the vulnerable patient, who was rumored during the 2016 Paralympic Games (in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) to be planning to end her life soon. This documentary thus also delves into the perceptions and significant media attention that Vervoort receives, particularly in Belgium. On camera, the director discusses with Vervoort whether she is allowed to film her end of life. Although Rapaport follows her through various personal moments, the most intimate moment – the actual performance of euthanasia – is kept off-screen.