Thematic Approach
Each film highlights different themes which can be used for discussion in the training or education session. Some of the films highlight similar themes and can be clustered. The themes are outlined below and links to each film provided. There are also questions for discussion and these can be undertaken as group discussion or individual reflective writing.
- The films highlight in different ways the importance of care giving. Discuss in what ways the importance of care is presented in the films.
- Both Andrew and Keisha’s films highlight the relationship between patient and clinician/caregiver? Discuss the issues the films raise in relation to this.
- How do Andrew and Keisha’s film highlight issues of agency and self-determination?
- What is similar and what is different?
- What happens to Rob at night?
- What does Fran say about loneliness?
- How is loss discussed within the films?
- What types of loss are highlighted?
How do the films touch upon anger or frustration?
Consider Andrew, Peter and Rob’s films in particular.
- What do Rob and Fran’s films say about hope and hopelessness?
- Peter and Yussef’s film present the concept of legacy in very different ways?
- What does legacy mean to them both?
The text below each video provides more context for understanding the motivation and experience of each participant. There are also questions to accompany the individual films.
“[The project] opened doors I wasn’t expecting. From the beginning there was a very therapeutic element to it and that process did get to me. I’m not used to opening up. […] It was the thought that everyone was going to see it. It was that process of having to work through my feelings about how I felt.”
“It was helpful for me on a personal, psychological level. It’s helped me to acknowledge my feelings about terminal illness or about how I’ve been feeling, and that’s not something I’ve ever wanted to look at before.”
“The main thing I wanted was to obviously portray a message but also to feel like I was fulfilling a useful purpose. […] People can give up because they feel useless, nothing to do, they’ll give up and won’t fight it. But if you give people like me a reason to get up in the morning and really fight the disease we’ll get far more chance.”
“[The message of the film] is about the mental aspect of the disease – because while the physical symptoms are monitored and treated, if you’re having a really bad day nothing’s done about it. Basically they’ll talk to you but they’re not trained in combating depression and once again if you get too depressed you’re just going to pack in.”
(Talking about the impact of his film on hospice workers) “They thought it was different to see somebody that would actually just sit there and tell things as it is, instead of bells and whistles, fluffy white clouds and all that. They found it opened their eyes as well.”
“I wanted to express hope. That even if you are faced with the unexplainable and unexpected you can keep hold of hope. And your diagnosis doesn’t have to define who you are.”
“I loved making it with Louis and hearing his views and ideas on how the film should look. It’s another precious memory for us.”
“The message from the film in itself is to do with the public and knowing terminal illness doesn’t always put you down. Lots of people become terminally ill and then their depression takes them away and then they give up so quick, and my husband was completely utterly the opposite of it and he fought right till the last minute of breath. And I think it’s important to give that message to other people going through the same thing.”
Haifa also commented on the importance of the film for Reem, their daughter, who starred in it. Haifa explained that the finished product means Reem will be able to see what her dad was like in twenty years time which is wonderful.