Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die (2011)

Kick in the ass documentary follows author Terry Pratchett as he looks at assisted dying. Prachett, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease several years back investigates the possibility of  ending his own life before things get too bad and he slips completely away.

Deeply moving film follows Prachett as he talks to two people with motor disease as they consider whether to end their lives. Both are fighting a losing battle with just being able to get around. Both of them are unsure if they would in fact end their lives, but they want to keep their options open and go out on their own terms. Prachett also speaks with a doctor connected with Dignitas in Switzerland who explains what they will or won't do (They'll help but they won't kill you).

The show is full of food for thought and it doesn't shy away from anything, we watch one man pass away surrounded by his family.(We should all go that quietly) It deals with things head on taking on the questions of choice and the complications of  suicide for some people (as Prachett says in order to be able to go of his own choosing he would have to go much earlier than he probably would like since when the Alzheimer's would be bad enough that he would want to go he wouldn't be in a place to consent.)

I'm shocked and moved and made incredibly thoughtful. Its an important issue that is well done and well reasoned. I can't really say more than that because how you react to the film will ultimately depend upon your own beliefs and experience...for that reason you should see this important film and make up your own mind.

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