Director Jean-Luc Godard resorted to assisted suicide in Switzerland, where he was born and has lived since the 1970s, to end his life this Tuesday (9/13). But he “he wasn’t sick, he was just exhausted”. This was revealed by the French daily Libération, which cites sources close to the director.
Godard died in his home in Rolle, on the shores of Lake Geneva, in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. “That was his decision, and it was important for him that she was known,” said the Libération source.
Switzerland is one of the few countries that allows the practice of assisted suicide. It consists of causing death of one’s own volition, usually through the ingestion of lethal drugs, under medical supervision.
Author of dozens of films in nearly seven decades of his career, Godard was one of the most influential directors of French and world cinema. And even opposed to interviews, he even publicly revealed what his option was for him to end his life.
“I am not anxious to move forward at all costs. If I am too sick, I have no desire to be dragged around in a wheelbarrow,” he said in a 2014 interview.
Recently, actor Alain Delon, a contemporary of Godard and who worked with the director on the 1990 film “Nouvelle Vague”, stated that he also intended to use the assisted suicide film.
Alain suffered a double stroke in 2019 and has been slowly recovering ever since. Although his health is considered good, he recently asked his son Anthony, 57, to organize the whole process and accompany him in his final moments.
Assisted suicide has been permitted in Switzerland since 1942 with one major exception: the reasons are not selfish. In Brazil and most other countries, the act is considered a crime. But the repercussions of Godard’s death could change things in France.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that he will hold a popular consultation on the “end of life”, considering a possible legalization of assisted suicide in the country.
Macron, who says he is “personally” in favor of the measure, wants to start discussions to have a law ready by the end of 2023. But on Tuesday he acknowledged that “this is anything but an easy and simple matter”.
Source: Terra
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
