A documentary, broadcast Tuesday September 26 on France 5, compares the different approaches to the end of life in France and in other European countries.
Assisted suicide, euthanasia… Terms and methods that are debated and divisive in France. While a bill on the end of life must be submitted to Emmanuel Macron soon, the documentary “End of life: so that you have the choice”, broadcast on France 5, Tuesday September 26, focuses on this delicate subject. The film, directed by Magali Cotard, is carried by the journalist and doctor Marina Carrère d’Encausse, for whom this question has an intimate significance: her companion, Antoine, suffers from Charcot’s disease. Knowing he is condemned, he asks for the right to choose his death. The documentary focuses on the procedures applied in France, and on the practices already adopted in different European countries to allow people suffering from incurable illnesses to freely decide when to leave.
The film makes its first stop in Belgium, where euthanasia has been decriminalized for twenty years. A choice that contrasts with that of France, where these practices are prohibited. Doctors use deep and continuous sedation, which consists of putting a person suffering from a serious and incurable illness into deep sleep, until death, in order to provide relief. The method is considered insufficient by many French patients, forced into exile to end their lives.
“To qualify for euthanasia [en Belgique]patients must find themselves in a hopeless medical situation, and feel unbearable physical and psychological suffering, which cannot be alleviated by treatment.”
Marina Carrère d’Encaussein the film “End of life: so you have a choice”
This is the case with Françoise. For two years, this French woman has suffered from very advanced rectal cancer. She decided to go to the city of Liège, in Belgium, in order to put an end to her suffering, accompanied by her daughter and son-in-law. Just a few hours before a doctor carries out her euthanasia, Françoise opens up in front of the cameras.
“I call it a beautiful death”
“I wanted an end of life that would be the culmination of my life”, confides Françoise, who explains that she values her autonomy. After thinking about going to Switzerland, she chose Belgium, whose method she prefers: “Euthanasia at least it is clear, it is medical. This means that the doctor helps his patient to free himself from an illness for which medicine can do nothing. For me, it’s called humanism and it’s called doing your job as a doctor ethically.” A few moments before the deadline, she assures that she does not regret her choice: “Do you realize how lucky I am? I die in full consciousness. Well, I call it a good death.”
Before the final act, the doctor explains to Françoise’s family, who will be present at her departure, how things will unfold. “This is something that can happen very, very quickly. If we decide to take action, it’s over. This is what is sometimes a bit psychologically heavy to take on.”, he warns. Françoise will be plunged into a deep sleep, like during general anesthesia. “I don’t have time to smile at you?”, worries the patient. The doctor reassures her and guarantees that before leaving, she will have a few seconds to enjoy a final moment with those around her.
THE documentary “End of life: so that you have the choice”, directed by Magali Cotard and played by Marina Carrère d’Encausse, is broadcast Tuesday September 26 at 9 p.m. on France 5.