An Interview with Laura’s Choice Directors Sam Lara and Cathy Henkel – A Meditation on Compassion, Family, and the Difficult Discussions Along the Way

Every so often, a film comes across your way that manages to reinforce a life perspective that you’ve long felt alone with feeling. For me, the discussions about end of life care, and voluntary assisted dying, have been something that I’ve found that we all need to talk about more. As our community ages, we owe it to our loved ones to support their end of life journey in the manner that they feel is best for them.

Which is why I’m beyond grateful that I had the time to talk to filmmakers Sam Lara and Cathy Henkel about their powerful documentary, Laura’s Choice. This film follows Laura Henkel, an eccentric, outspoken, feisty 90-year-old who has decided she wants to end her life on her own terms. This interview is about how Sam and Cathy both approached Laura’s request for them both to make a film about her choice, and the path that it leads them down.

This synopsis may sound depressing, or difficult to bear, but that hides the joy and beauty within this film. It’s a story full of love, compassion, empathy, and most importantly, the support for the choice of a loved one, a mother, a grandmother, to decide to embark upon voluntary assisted dying. Laura’s Choice is a celebration of life, and for that, I’m beyond grateful that Sam, Cathy, and Laura, all trusted the audience with taking us down this journey.

Laura’s Choice will be screening at the WA Made Film Festival on Saturday, March 13th at 1:30pm. If you cannot attend this screening, then please view Laura’s Choice on ABC when it screens over two nights on March 17th and March 25th.

Please also follow Laura’s Choice on Facebook and Instagram.

Finally, thank you again to Sam Lara and Cathy Henkel for trusting me with this interview. Your words mean more than you will ever know.

If this discussion brings up some feelings that are hard to handle, then please get in contact with Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).

See also

Andrew F Peirce·February 19, 2023·1 min read

The Longest Weekend Director Molly Haddon Talks Queer Screen, Creating Genuine Family Connections on Screen, and More in This Interview

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From Hilde, With Love Director Andreas Dresen on Beauty within a Dark Story – The Curb

The 2024 German Film Festival is currently underway across Australia with screenings taking place from 7 May to 5 June. The poster film for the festival is From Hilde, With Love, by director Andreas Dresen.In the following interview, Nadine Whitney and Andreas talk about his interest in telling the story of Hilde Coppi on screen. Hilde was a young German women who was drawn into the anti-Nazi resistance movement during World War Two.Andreas Dresen is in attendance at the festival as a festival guest, and will be participating in Q&A sessions at screenings of From Hilde, With Love, on Thursday 9 May at Sydney Palace Central, Saturday 11 May at Palace Cinema Como in Melbourne, and Saturday 18 May at Palace Barracks in Brisbane. For all screening times and to purchase tickets, visit GermanFilmFestival.com.au.Thank you for listening to this episode of The Curb podcast. To help keep the Curb independent, visit patreon.com/thecurbau to show your support from as little as $1 a month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. From Hilde, With Love Director Andreas Dresen on Beauty within a Dark Story 32:10
2. Shape Director Roger Ungers Talks About Body Positivity in the Gay Community in This Interview 26:04
3. Katherine Grace on Working with Friend Holly Dodd on the Horror Short Alison & Betty 35:00
4. The Road to Patagonia Director Matty Hannon Talks About Living with the Land in This Interview 20:55
5. The Deepest Breath Composer Nainita Desai On the Art of Composing for Documentaries 55:22

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