Laura’s choice: feature documentary and series
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Keywords
voluntary assisted dying, euthanasia, family, documentary
Non-Traditional Research Output
Original Creative Work
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
1-1-2021
Location of the Work
Perth
Research Statement
Research Background
Laura’s Choice is a feature documentary series (2x1hour) and autoethnographical study of three generations of women as they travel into uncharted territory to explore a dignified and controversial approach to dying. The documentary features Laura Henkel (90) who travels to Switzerland to end her life on her own terms. Her daughter, Dr Cathy Henkel, and granddaughter Sam, support her and document this intimate family journey. The aim of the project is to generate a national conversation about end-of-life choices via traditional and social media, online community spaces, live forums, and an exhibition.
Research Contribution
Research was undertaken into Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws and cultural attitudes to death, and a national survey of contemporary attitudes to death was conducted in collaboration with Dr Eyal Gringart. The autoethnographic approach includes the use of deeply personal experiences depicted in documentary form to explore and understand social attitudes to death and provoke national discussion. Media reports linked the documentary to conversations around VAD legislation being debated or passed in every state in Australia.
Research Significance
Laura's Choice was broadcast on ABCTV in March/April 2021 and remains on streaming platform iView until March 2026. The program received national media attention including radio, print, TV news, podcasts and public forums and numerous industry awards including DocEdge New Zealand Fearless Award, leading guild nominations and Innovation in Documentary at the WA Screen Culture Awards. It was named in The Guardian’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2021. The combined audience to date for the program (ABCTV, iView and social media spaces) is 400,000+ Audience conversations are occurring on social media platforms and Laura’s Kitchen Table, a moderated space for audiences to meet, share stories and converse in a spirit of empathy, respect and understanding.
Publisher
Virgo Productions
School
School of Arts and Humanities
RAS ID
43317
Event Venue
ABCTV, ABCTV Plus, iView
Additional Information
The documentary premiered at Revelation film festival in 2020 and can be streamed on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/laura-s-choice
Copyright
free_to_read
Documentation Statement
This record presents a documented representation of the research output, including the research statement and associated contextual metadata. The creative work itself is not included. Where available, external links are provided to representations of the work.
Content Type
Documentation only
DOI Statement
The DOI refers to the repository metadata record only and serves as a documentation identifier.
Recommended Citation
Henkel, C., & Lara, S. (2021). Laura's choice. [Documentary]. Virgo Productions. [Documentation record only]. Research Online. https://doi.org/10.25958/p9va-4g56
Comments
https://lauraschoice.org/