Mortality Movies - Upcoming Films
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Mortality Movies - Past Discussions
Saturday, September 21st , 2024
Jack Has A Plan
Eckstrom-Columbus Library
4350 E 22nd St · Tucson, AZ
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Jack Has A Plan
Eckstrom-Columbus Library
4350 E 22nd St · Tucson, AZ
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
hen Jack Tuller—a man with a terminal brain tumor for the past 25 years—takes control of his destiny by choosing the time and means of his death, his family and friends struggle to accept his decision. Jack's best friend documents his three-year quest to die with dignity, culminating in a permanent going-away party.
Jack Tuller's career as a budding San Francisco musician and performer was sidetracked in 1994 when he was diagnosed with a terminal condition and given six months to live. Jack Has a Plan tells the story of the following 25 years as Jack dodges one bullet after the next, eluding death at every turn. But at age 55, he begins having new issues with cognitive functioning and discovers his tumor has re-emerged and is growing at an alarming rate. Literally hearing angelic voices and trumpets in his head, Jack can no longer work and loses the wherewithal to manage his professional and social lives. He then meets with his neighbor, a palliative care specialist, and begins the process of qualifying for California's End of Life Option Act.
His close friend, filmmaker Bradley Berman, is enlisted to document his life story before his memory and capacity for language retreat forever. Jack turns his predicament into an art-performance project complete with experimental movies, diaries, and funky dance moves. As he nears his death, he also engages in an odyssey of self-discovery and reflection, attempting to reconnect with his estranged parents—with varying results.
A sudden deterioration in his condition sets the final stage of Jack's project into motion as he engineers his graceful exit from life's stage. What emerges is a compelling case for patient and bodily autonomy, despite objections from family, friends, medical professionals, and society. A compelling, engrossing movie that explores the nature of love and friendship, as well as the relationship of the personal and political, Jack Has a Plan is an inspiring story about self-determination, creativity, and transcendence.
At once a heartfelt biographical documentary essay and a snapshot of the "right-to-die" movement, the film reveals universal truths about mortality, as well as the many emerging options for how to approach the inevitable.
FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT: "American society is experiencing a seismic shift in how we view death. The medical establishment has historically focused on extending ever patient's life for the maximum number of days. But there is an emerging and fundamental recognition that palliative care focused on alleviating suffering is a more compassionate approach.
The unnecessary emotional and economic toll levied against terminal patients and their families in the final days and weeks of life is tragic. But litigating the argument for assisted dying is not the film we wanted to make. Instead, our documentary is a personal and emotional film—a buddy movie with a strong storyline.
More than anything, the film captures the ability for somebody like Jack (or you, or me) to arrange for final goodbyes with loved ones and to maximize our appreciation for a life well lived. By presenting Jack's conversations and experiences— and wrapping them around the family dramas that often occur in these situations—the audience comes along for the ride.
Our motivation is straightforward: to convey Jack's story in an honest, creative, engaging, and (wherever possible) humorous way, especially to people who are struggling with the same dilemmas and hardships that he faced."
— Bradley Berman
A general discussion on Death, Dying, and Life-end Hastening will follow the film with a focus on MAID options for Arizonans.
Refreshments provided. No admission fee, but donations are welcomed.
Jack Tuller's career as a budding San Francisco musician and performer was sidetracked in 1994 when he was diagnosed with a terminal condition and given six months to live. Jack Has a Plan tells the story of the following 25 years as Jack dodges one bullet after the next, eluding death at every turn. But at age 55, he begins having new issues with cognitive functioning and discovers his tumor has re-emerged and is growing at an alarming rate. Literally hearing angelic voices and trumpets in his head, Jack can no longer work and loses the wherewithal to manage his professional and social lives. He then meets with his neighbor, a palliative care specialist, and begins the process of qualifying for California's End of Life Option Act.
His close friend, filmmaker Bradley Berman, is enlisted to document his life story before his memory and capacity for language retreat forever. Jack turns his predicament into an art-performance project complete with experimental movies, diaries, and funky dance moves. As he nears his death, he also engages in an odyssey of self-discovery and reflection, attempting to reconnect with his estranged parents—with varying results.
A sudden deterioration in his condition sets the final stage of Jack's project into motion as he engineers his graceful exit from life's stage. What emerges is a compelling case for patient and bodily autonomy, despite objections from family, friends, medical professionals, and society. A compelling, engrossing movie that explores the nature of love and friendship, as well as the relationship of the personal and political, Jack Has a Plan is an inspiring story about self-determination, creativity, and transcendence.
At once a heartfelt biographical documentary essay and a snapshot of the "right-to-die" movement, the film reveals universal truths about mortality, as well as the many emerging options for how to approach the inevitable.
FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT: "American society is experiencing a seismic shift in how we view death. The medical establishment has historically focused on extending ever patient's life for the maximum number of days. But there is an emerging and fundamental recognition that palliative care focused on alleviating suffering is a more compassionate approach.
The unnecessary emotional and economic toll levied against terminal patients and their families in the final days and weeks of life is tragic. But litigating the argument for assisted dying is not the film we wanted to make. Instead, our documentary is a personal and emotional film—a buddy movie with a strong storyline.
More than anything, the film captures the ability for somebody like Jack (or you, or me) to arrange for final goodbyes with loved ones and to maximize our appreciation for a life well lived. By presenting Jack's conversations and experiences— and wrapping them around the family dramas that often occur in these situations—the audience comes along for the ride.
Our motivation is straightforward: to convey Jack's story in an honest, creative, engaging, and (wherever possible) humorous way, especially to people who are struggling with the same dilemmas and hardships that he faced."
— Bradley Berman
A general discussion on Death, Dying, and Life-end Hastening will follow the film with a focus on MAID options for Arizonans.
Refreshments provided. No admission fee, but donations are welcomed.
Previous Film Showings and Discussions
A Short Stay in Switzerland
Dame Julie Walters stars in a one-off drama inspired by the true story of Dr. Anne Turner, who, in 2006, took her own life in a Zurich clinic having developed an incurable degenerative disease. Having recently witnessed the death of her husband from a neurological disease, Anne Turner is diagnosed with a nearly identical illness and determines to end her life once her condition has reached a critical point. As her health deteriorates, Anne's son and two daughters struggle to reach a consensus over their mother's intentions, and while they search for alternative options, silent recriminations and stubborn practicality threaten to tear the family apart. With her family at logger heads, Anne must also face the fury of her best friend, whose opposing views bring them into direct conflict.
A general discussion on Death, Dying and Life-end Hastening will follow the film with a special focus on the Swiss option.
A general discussion on Death, Dying and Life-end Hastening will follow the film with a special focus on the Swiss option.
“Dying Wish” a VSED Story
Join us for a FREE Saturday afternoon screening and discussion of this critically acclaimed film short directed by Karen van Vuuren.
The defining theme of Dying Wish is offered at its outset by 80-year-old retired surgeon Dr. Michael Miller, who suffers from late-stage terminal cancer: “I’m Michael Miller. Soon I will discontinue drinking and eating and drift into death in days. I am extricating myself from a wretched end of life. It is a poor thing for anyone to fear that which is inevitable. Yes, the cancer has conquered me . . . has its tentacles into me but I will not . . . am not allowing it to make me suffer in these last few days.”
This film explores the personal, familial, and wider social and ethical implications of Michael’s decision to hasten his own death.
When:
Saturday, March 16th,
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Where:
Eckstrom-Columbus Library, 4350 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85711
A general discussion on Death, Dying and Life-end Hastening will follow the film.
Refreshments provided. No admission fee, but donations are welcomed.
Register at Meetup.com/choice-dignity-tucson-death-and-dying-meetup-group
Or send us an email at [email protected]
Join us for a FREE Saturday afternoon screening and discussion of this critically acclaimed film short directed by Karen van Vuuren.
The defining theme of Dying Wish is offered at its outset by 80-year-old retired surgeon Dr. Michael Miller, who suffers from late-stage terminal cancer: “I’m Michael Miller. Soon I will discontinue drinking and eating and drift into death in days. I am extricating myself from a wretched end of life. It is a poor thing for anyone to fear that which is inevitable. Yes, the cancer has conquered me . . . has its tentacles into me but I will not . . . am not allowing it to make me suffer in these last few days.”
This film explores the personal, familial, and wider social and ethical implications of Michael’s decision to hasten his own death.
When:
Saturday, March 16th,
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Where:
Eckstrom-Columbus Library, 4350 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85711
A general discussion on Death, Dying and Life-end Hastening will follow the film.
Refreshments provided. No admission fee, but donations are welcomed.
Register at Meetup.com/choice-dignity-tucson-death-and-dying-meetup-group
Or send us an email at [email protected]