TILL THE LAST BREATH!
Producer of The Last Ecstatic Days, Prerana Thakurdesai, recounts her experience of shooting the poignant film
Come summer 2023, New York-based documentary filmmaker and former Indian journalist Prerana Thakurdesai is bringing the exceptional story of Ethan Sisser. He was a 36-year old Jewish American ailing from brain cancer, who manifested his own death through a community of death-care officials, led by Dr. Aditi Sethi, an IndianAmerican doctor, in the film The Last Ecstatic Days. As the founder of Ghumantu Pictures, Thakurdesai will mark her maiden production, which has been directed by Scott Kirschenbaum and written by David Seidler, the Academy Award-winning writer of The King’s Speech. Speaking to The Free Press Journal team, the documentary-filmmakerturned-producer discusses her association with the film, her learnings from the principal cast about life and more.
Excerpts from an interview:
What fascinated you about Ethan Sisser that made you come on-board as the producer for
The Last Ecstatic Days?
The film is about conscious dying. It follows the journey of Ethan Sisser, 36, who was diagnosed with brain cancer. When he learns so, he chooses to livestream his journey with the ailment, its treatment and what he is going through at that time. He is unhoused at that time, but, when the doctor informs him that he has little time left, he finds a community through the help of Dr. Aditi Sethi, an Indian-American hospice doctor. She is inspired by his vision and wants to give him a community. Through her, Ethan finds a community who come together to be with him, till his last breath. The story is about how we want to die and wish to live. These are the questions that the film is asking. Ethan was a yoga practitioner, very much into meditation, so the consciousness of dying came with the consciousness of wanting to live a life. Which is why even when he is in pain, you can see him live through it. It is the company of a community that eases that pain for him. Ethan chooses to die in such a way. The film captures that process.
How can this film be of relevance to an Indian audience that views death differently, in comparison to the West?
It is interesting that you ask that question, because Dr. Sethi, who is also one of the protagonists of this film, is working towards changing community death-care work in the US. She was born in Chandigarh. Bringing back the awareness that India once had about the concept, is what the film looks to achieve. I think there is also a huge death zeitgeist, right now. People believe that there is a way to choose how they want to go. Whether it is within a community or at home, that is a choice that you make. I think if it manages to help Indians, through the presence of an Indian-American protagonist, who is doing in the US what she has learnt in India, you may want a lot of Indians to reflect upon where we are right now and where we can go.
When Ethan found out that he had very little time, the pandemic was at its peak. He was all by himself in a hospice. A hospice is where you go towards the end of your life, where the care system helps you be comfortable. But nobody could visit him. His last wish was to film himself and spread the message around the world about wanting to choose your death.
His second wish was to not die alone. Which is when Dr. Sethi decided to let someone have what they wanted. She then takes it upon herself to find him a community, in Asheville, North Carolina. There were doulas, musicians, healers, helpers and other death care officials who came forward to fulfill a dying man’s last wish. The story is so beautiful that it would touch anyone who watches it and make them wonder about how they can engage with death.
Could you tell us more about Dr. Sethi’s contribution to Ethan’s journey?
Dr. Sethi and I interact very often. She has started the Center for Conscious Living or Dying, based upon her experience while caring for Ethan. She is helping communities care and learn about how to be there for each other during their last days. In learning how to be conscious about death, you also learn how to be conscious about life. Learn to live while also thinking about what it takes to die. Dr. Sethi is a palliative care expert and a death doula. A doula helps you transition from one stage to another. The Center that she does this in is where Ethan passed away. Dr. Sethi and the Center are of great relevance to the community.
As a collaborator, what is it about Ethan and Dr. Sethi that inspires you?
Dr. Sethi always mentions that it was Ethan’s vulnerability that drew her to him. That he had a head flap following a surgery, which looked weird and yet he was calling out for help in a situation where he did not have anybody. That ability to be vulnerable and open in front of a stranger is extremely endearing and inviting. That is something that I’m taking away from this film. Also, Dr. Sethi herself said yes to a stranger. To be willing to learn from a man who is teaching her something is very inspiring.
What do you want viewers to take away from this film?
This is a film that tells you how to live. It is not a death film. It’s a film that tells you to live a fuller life, a more conscious life. All of us need that. It’s a hard life. We are faced with so many struggles on a daily basis. What is it that a film on death can teach us? Also, who hasn’t faced this situation. We’ve all gone through the pain. How do we come of it?
There are instances when we ask ourselves, what if we could be there for somebody when they were dying. Many of us don’t have the privilege to be there for someone during their dying moments. But can that person have the company of people while dying, is what this film will prompt you to think.
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