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How to Die: Simon's Choice

Name: How to Die: Simon's Choice
Director: Rowan Deacon
Released: 2016
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

8.1/10

Excellent

2016

Director

Rowan Deacon

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The documentary excels by centering a underrepresented experience through the lens of autonomy rather than victimhood. By focusing on the ethical complexities of a terminal diagnosis, it elevates the subject's role above passive tragedy. However, the film lacks visibility regarding racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ identities. These absences result in a neutral baseline for several key categories, limiting the overall depth of the work. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its cultural critique. It successfully challenges traditional norms regarding life and death, prioritizing individual truth over institutional authority.

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Category Breakdown

Does How to Die: Simon's Choice have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not explicitly mention queer identities. However, themes related to bodily autonomy align with non-conformity, though there is no direct representation of LGBTQ+ individuals.

How does How to Die: Simon's Choice portray gender?

Fair

The narrative disrupts traditional social roles by focusing on individual autonomy. It centers the protagonist's internal struggle rather than conventional caregiver or provider dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is How to Die: Simon's Choice?

Fair

There is no information available regarding the racial or ethnic composition of the subject or the production team. A neutral baseline is applied.

How does How to Die: Simon's Choice represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film challenges religious and state-sanctioned views on the sanctity of life. It prioritizes personal ability to act and secular morality over traditional institutional mandates.

Does How to Die: Simon's Choice include disability representation?

Good

The documentary avoids 'inspiration porn' by focusing on the protagonist's intellectual and ethical engagement with Motor Neurone Disease. It gives the subject significant narrative power and control.

Present on Screen

Provides a powerful platform for disability ability to act, avoiding common clichés of passive suffering.
Challenges traditional religious and institutional views on the sanctity of life through a secular lens.
Focuses on intellectual and ethical decision-making rather than purely emotional or tragic narratives.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation or information regarding racial and ethnic diversity.
Provides no clear evidence of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth perspectives.
The absence of multi-layered data limits the scope of the film's social commentary.

Official Synopsis

Simon debates whether to end his life after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

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