Mag ik dood - Een diepe doodswens - wat kan je doen?

‘Please let me die’

In ‘Please let me die’ documentary maker Eveline van Dijck takes you along in her search for answers, after the suicide of her sister Cathma. The documentary pays attention to the lack of help for people with a chronic mental illness who wish to die. The questions raised by Eveline can be outlined in one theme; finding out if there is a humane way to choose your own point of dying in life.

While talking to counsellors, public prosecutors and loved ones of people who committed suicide, she comes across a lot of denial and a ‘cheer up’ attitude. The overruling opinion on the matter and the obvious reaction from doctors is expressed in the intention to cure people. However, if inhabitants of the Netherlands suffer so unbearably, whether this is because of a physical or mental disease, and there is no hope of improvement, there are certain options and organisations who are able to help. Eveline looks for answers to the questions: What can someone who wishes to die, yet does not suffer from a physicall illness, do? Is there any help for these people?

In the beginning of the film you will hear the documentary maker who regrets on hindsights not supporting her sister in her wish to die. During the 49 minutes of film she tries to discuss the taboo and expresses the need to make suicide an option. Hereby she lends an ear to all those people who feel that one of the most valuable human rights is being ignored, namely the freedom of choice.

In the fragment family members describe how they acted and feeled before and after a loved one had taken his or her life. You can see and hear how their opinion on suicide changed in the aftermath of the event. Most of them now are with Eveline in believing that there should be help for people who suffer from living.

If you would like to purchase ‘Please let me die’ on dvd (20 euro) please contact: cora.van.dijk@human.nl