A documentary about well-known former Ballina resident Laura Henkel will be having its local premiere at a special preview this weekend.
Laura’s Choice confronts the euthanasia issue head-on in a very personal way. The film is produced and directed by Laura’s daughter Cathy Henkel and grand-daughter Sam Lara. Both will be present at the screening, and there will be a Q&A afterwards.
The film-makers say it was Laura’s idea to make the documentary, which explores the legal, moral, ethical and emotional issues that arose from 90 year old Laura Henkel’s wish to end her life on her own terms, with dignity, in Switzerland.
Uncharted territory
Laura’s Choice shows three generations of women navigating a radical approach to dying, and the right to die.
As the film-makers uncover a range of conflicting views in the wider community, they also have to navigate their own roller coaster of emotions.
As Laura Henkel herself explained, ‘I feel I have had enough and am quite ready to go. I do not want to wait for some debilitating disease to carry me away – and going into an aged care facility to endure pain and suffering to the bitter end is not a future I choose for myself.
‘My choice allows me to say farewell joyfully and then go to sleep in peaceful surroundings, with my family beside me at the end, while I am still able to say thank you for all they have done for me.’
Laura’s Choice will be screening at Ballina Fair Cinemas on Sunday 7 February at 4.30pm. Tickets are available at this link.
The film will also be screening on ABC TV later this year.
There’s a trailer for Laura’s Choice below:
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