Cosa

Review

Terry Pratchett- Choosing to die. 31 June 2011 documentary

Last year, the KEO North for BBC Scotland produced this documentary on the issue of assisted suicide. Charly Russel wasdirector and producer, and it was presented by Sir Terry Pratchett, better known for being the creator of the Discworld fantasy novels series. It takes as the point of departure the fact that Terry Pratchetthimself was diagnosed with a rare type of Alzheimer, which is leading him to be unable to write his own books.(A job that he has started to do by dictating the stories to an assistant). Thus,Pratchett, accompanied by his assistant, follows the stories of a small range of persons with degenerative and incurable diseases who had already chosen the assisted suicide. From the first meetings withthem to talk about death, and the conversations with the employers of the Swiss assisted dying organization, Dignitas, to the moment he is present at the deathbed of a 71 years old man diagnosed withmotor neurone disease three years before, the documentary follows not only the steps of those who chose to die, but also Pratchett’s own train of thought. A train of thought that ended up with Pratchetthimself choosing to die with dignity. On the technical aspect there is nothing remarkable to mention. It consists mainly on a camera following Terry Prachett through his travels, meetings, andinterviews, and also accompanying him during the conversations he had with his assistant. The scene in which the both of them –Terry and his assistant-cheers on the youngest one of their interviewees whileat the other side of the city he is dying deserves especial attention. What is true is that no one can remain indifferent to it. It shows a reality that usually is hidden, since it is understood as ashame, a sin, or other moral judgements, but that is there and that can happen to anyone. Besides, for those of us who are followers of Pratchett work, it goes a step beyond and becomes a tender...