by Nina Vaclavikova
Interviews: Enrico Bullian — Regional Councilor, Casa Civica (co-promoter of the initiative); Gabriele Isola Guidugli — Representative of the Luca Coscioni Association; Francesco Martines — Regional Councilor, Democratic Party (Partito Democratico) (co-promoter of the initiative)
Two regional lawmakers in Friuli Venezia Giulia have announced a series of public screenings of a documentary on medically assisted dying, saying the initiative is intended to encourage discussion on end-of-life issues and raise awareness of the experiences of people living with irreversible illnesses and severe disabilities.
Enrico Bullian of Casa Civica and Francesco Martines of the Democratic Party presented the initiative at a news conference on Tuesday at the Regional Council in Trieste. The program will feature Lasciatemi morire ridendo (“Let Me Die Laughing”), a documentary by director Massimiliano Fumagalli.
The lawmakers said that fostering public discussion on ethical questions surrounding the right to end-of-life choices could help promote greater awareness of issues including dignity, self-determination and personal autonomy. They also said such conversations should highlight the daily realities faced by people with serious irreversible illnesses and their families.
The documentary tells the story of Stefano Gheller, a man from the Veneto region who was among the first people in Italy to obtain access to medically assisted suicide under existing legal rulings. Bullian and Martines said they hope the film will contribute to renewed public debate on the issue, which they argued has seen limited legislative progress at both the national and regional levels.
The screenings are scheduled to take place in three municipalities across the region:
- July 30, at 9 p.m., in Piazzale Faidutti, Turriaco;
- September 23, at 9 p.m., at Teatro Arrigoni in San Vito al Tagliamento;
- October 1, at 8:30 p.m., at the Polveriera Napoleonica Garzoni in Palmanova.
The events are being organized by the Luca Coscioni Association and its local chapters, in collaboration with the municipal administrations of Turriaco, San Vito al Tagliamento and Palmanova.
Each screening will begin with an introduction to Gheller’s story by Diego Silvestri, followed by the 71-minute documentary and a panel discussion involving institutional representatives and members of the Luca Coscioni Association. Organizers said the audience will have an opportunity to participate in the discussion, and Gheller’s sister may join remotely.
Bullian and Martines thanked the participating municipalities, the Luca Coscioni Association, Silvestri and others involved in organizing the initiative.
