By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– Compassion & Choices Hawaii will screen the award-winning documentary How to Die in Oregon at the Doris Duke Theatre in the Honolulu Art Museum on Monday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6). Admission is free to anyone interested in learning more about Compassion & Choices and its work. The audience is encouraged to stay for an open discussion about the film, aid-in-dying, and the ongoing work of Compassion & Choices in Hawaii and throughout the country. Free literature, Hawaii Advance Directive forms and Compassion & Choices’ “Good-to-Go Toolkits” will be available. For information call 339-1608 or e-mail smorrison@compassionandchoices.org.
In 1994, Oregon became the first state to legalize aid in dying. Since then, more than 500 Oregonians have ended their life using the law, known as the Death With Dignity Act. Despite the law’s controversy, there are many who support this option to end the suffering of either themselves or a loved one. How to Die in Oregon follows the powerful stories of some of these people as they grapple with their life circumstances and the concept of dying with dignity and control.
Director Peter Richardson’s film presents an emotional yet life-affirming look at death and dying through the eyes of the terminally ill as they consider whether to end their lives by lethal medication. With the support and trust of his subjects and their families, Richardson is given unprecedented access to some of their most private and vulnerable moments as they share intimate stories and experiences with illness and their struggle in deciding whether to end their life.
Taking a neutral stance, the film provides a compassionate look at their lives and is clear-eyed and unflinching in its portrayal. How to Die in Oregon features in-depth interviews with patients’ families and friends, activists, physicians, and the patients themselves as they explore sensitive issues with courage and openness, despite the emotional turmoil it carries.
How to Die in Oregon won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, was a Top 10 Audience Favorite at Hot Docs, and won the Kathleen Bryan Edwards Award for Human Rights at the 2011 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.
How to Die in Oregon is directed and produced by Peter D. Richardson; executive produced by Melody Korenbrot and Sheila Nevins; edited by Peter D. Richardson and Greg Snider; music by Max Richter. Information At http://www.newvideo.com/docurama/how-to-die-in-oregon/.
About Compassion & Choices Hawaii
Compassion & Choices Hawaii is the local affiliate of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization working to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. It provides expert consultation, advice, information and emotional support for patients and families, as well as information and medical expertise to participating physicians and other medical providers. All services are confidential and free of charge. For more information or to request services call 800-247-7421 or visit www.compassionandchoices.org/hawaii.