Euthanasia has long been a subject of cinematic debate. In John Badham’s 1981 drama “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” Richard Dreyfuss’ sculptor protagonist, who has become paralyzed from the neck down, wins a long legal struggle to end his life by assisted suicide. By contrast, in Chie Hayakawa’s 2022 dystopian drama “Plan 75,” the Japanese government offers enticing incentives to citizens over 75 to die voluntarily, framing euthanasia as a tool for easing society’s perceived burdens.
Similar in its setup, if not its treatment, is Banmei Takahashi’s “Euthanasia Special Zone,” another near-future film in which Japan has legalized active euthanasia. (Withdrawal of life support is now permitted.) At an authorized facility known as the Hitorishizuka Clinic, doctors adhere strictly to official protocols before allowing patients to drink a lethal concoction.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.