Death is not a subject many like to tackle head on.
However, much like any worthwhile documentary, the latest film from documentarian Peter Richardson, How To Die In Oregon not only takes a distinct and absolutely haunting look into the idea of death, but also what it means to truly have control over ones life.
How To Die In Oregon takes a look at the state’s battle with the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, which, in 1994, culminated in the state becoming the first one to legalize the act. With only Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands having the practice legalized, Oregon became a hot bed for the battle for and against euthanasia. However, it’s also so very much more. Looking at the stories of those currently going through the process of ending their lives this way, the film follows those directly involved and their families, in what is one of...
However, much like any worthwhile documentary, the latest film from documentarian Peter Richardson, How To Die In Oregon not only takes a distinct and absolutely haunting look into the idea of death, but also what it means to truly have control over ones life.
How To Die In Oregon takes a look at the state’s battle with the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, which, in 1994, culminated in the state becoming the first one to legalize the act. With only Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands having the practice legalized, Oregon became a hot bed for the battle for and against euthanasia. However, it’s also so very much more. Looking at the stories of those currently going through the process of ending their lives this way, the film follows those directly involved and their families, in what is one of...
- 3/26/2011
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
The alternate title for this review might as well been "Dying: this shit gets real, yo".
How To Die In Oregon is the second film from Oregon based documentarian Peter Richardson; it made its debut at the 2011 Sundance film festival. It is driven by a unique law in Oregon passed in 1994 that allows physicians to assist terminal patients in a "death with dignity" via a lethal dose of Seconal, a heavy barbiturate. I expected two hours of axe grinding and choir preachin', a trap documentaries on controversial subjects are prone to falling into (see also: Michael Moore). This is not the case with Oregon. Richardson presents a sympathetic but essentially unslanted picture of several families in the Pacific Northwest struggling with planned bereavement, for lack of a better phrase. It's like Logan's Run without the sci-fi tropes or tube-cars, and more grief.
Briefly, we have Nancy Niedzielski, who campaigned tirelessly...
How To Die In Oregon is the second film from Oregon based documentarian Peter Richardson; it made its debut at the 2011 Sundance film festival. It is driven by a unique law in Oregon passed in 1994 that allows physicians to assist terminal patients in a "death with dignity" via a lethal dose of Seconal, a heavy barbiturate. I expected two hours of axe grinding and choir preachin', a trap documentaries on controversial subjects are prone to falling into (see also: Michael Moore). This is not the case with Oregon. Richardson presents a sympathetic but essentially unslanted picture of several families in the Pacific Northwest struggling with planned bereavement, for lack of a better phrase. It's like Logan's Run without the sci-fi tropes or tube-cars, and more grief.
Briefly, we have Nancy Niedzielski, who campaigned tirelessly...
- 3/20/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
A paperwork snafu has delayed the plans of a group trying to cover up the famed "Hollywood" sign and exchange it with a temporary environmental message."We're crossing our T's and dotting our I's with city engineers," said a spokesman for the project.The unveiling of the new message was supposed to happen Thursday, though the group -- called the Trust for Public Land -- is now shooting for Friday. Engineers had to be convinced that covering the sign with a tarp wouldn't present any dangers should a big wind hit, causing Tpl to run through some bureaucratic hoops just before work was to begin Tuesday.Tpl said it has permission to blot out the Hollywood sign only until Monday. It will be replaced with the phrase: "Save the Peak."It's all part of a celebrity-infused effort to raise money so that the nonprofit Tpl can purchase Cahuenga Peak, which...
- 2/12/2010
- backstage.com
A paperwork snafu has delayed the plans of a group trying to cover up the famed "Hollywood" sign and exchange it with a temporary environmental message.
"We're crossing our T's and dotting our I's with city engineers," said a spokesman for the project.
The unveiling of the new message was supposed to happen Thursday, though the group -- called the Trust for Public Land -- is now shooting for Friday.
Engineers had to be convinced that covering the sign with a tarp wouldn't present any dangers should a big wind hit, causing Tpl to run through some bureaucratic hoops just before work was to begin Tuesday.
Tpl said it has permission to blot out the Hollywood sign only until Monday. It will be replaced with the phrase: "Save the Peak."
It's all part of a celebrity-infused effort to raise money so that the nonprofit Tpl can purchase Cahuenga Peak, which...
"We're crossing our T's and dotting our I's with city engineers," said a spokesman for the project.
The unveiling of the new message was supposed to happen Thursday, though the group -- called the Trust for Public Land -- is now shooting for Friday.
Engineers had to be convinced that covering the sign with a tarp wouldn't present any dangers should a big wind hit, causing Tpl to run through some bureaucratic hoops just before work was to begin Tuesday.
Tpl said it has permission to blot out the Hollywood sign only until Monday. It will be replaced with the phrase: "Save the Peak."
It's all part of a celebrity-infused effort to raise money so that the nonprofit Tpl can purchase Cahuenga Peak, which...
- 2/11/2010
- by By Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Assuming their paperwork is in order, and weather permitting, a group will begin covering the iconic "Hollywood" sign Tuesday, exchanging it with a temporary environmental message to be revealed Thursday.
The timing, though, is iffy, because work meant to start earlier on Tuesday was delayed because of some bureaucratic confusion. A spokesman said the project was to have started late Tuesday if they can get one more permit in order, or it would be delayed one day, rain or shine.
The Trust for Public Land said it has permission to blot out the Hollywood sign until Monday, replacing it with the message "Save the Peak."
It's all part of a celebrity-infused effort to raise money so that the nonprofit Tpl can purchase Cahuenga Peak, which consists of 138 acres adjacent to the Hollywood sign that sits on government property.
The group already has raised $6.3 million and needs another $6.2 million to cover...
The timing, though, is iffy, because work meant to start earlier on Tuesday was delayed because of some bureaucratic confusion. A spokesman said the project was to have started late Tuesday if they can get one more permit in order, or it would be delayed one day, rain or shine.
The Trust for Public Land said it has permission to blot out the Hollywood sign until Monday, replacing it with the message "Save the Peak."
It's all part of a celebrity-infused effort to raise money so that the nonprofit Tpl can purchase Cahuenga Peak, which consists of 138 acres adjacent to the Hollywood sign that sits on government property.
The group already has raised $6.3 million and needs another $6.2 million to cover...
- 2/9/2010
- by By Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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