IDSFFK 2025: Shonali Bose Explores Assisted Suicide in Life-Affirming Documentary

Rapid Summary

• Documentary Premiere: A Fly on the Wall, directed by Nilesh Maniyar and Shonali bose, is being screened in the Long Documentary category at the 17th International Documentary and Short Film Festival (IDSFFK).
• Subject: The documentary explores the final week of Chika Kapadia’s life at Dignitas, a physician-assisted suicide facility in Zurich, Switzerland. Kapadia chose this path after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
• Filmmaking Process: Filmed entirely on an iPhone for intimacy and immediacy, it captures deeply emotional moments juxtaposed with Kapadia’s energy and acceptance of death.
• Themes Discussed: The film provokes thought around sensitive topics like euthanasia and the right to die with dignity, especially in contexts were such options are unavailable (e.g.,india).
• Director’s Outlook: Bose reflects on her personal struggles during filming as she witnessed her friend’s decline while navigating her grief from losing her son years earlier.

Indian opinion Analysis

Shonali Bose’s A Fly on the Wall challenges societal norms by spotlighting euthanasia through a poignant personal lens. While assisted suicide remains highly controversial globally – notably forbidden under Indian law – Chika kapadia’s journey raises critically important ethical questions about autonomy over one’s life choices when facing terminal illness.India lacks infrastructure to support “right to die” initiatives due to cultural sensitivities and legal prohibitions; however, growing debates surrounding medical costs, familial burdens, dignity in dying could gradually bring attention here.

Critically acclaimed efforts like this have potential ripple effects beyond cinema, encouraging public discourse or policy introspection over end-of-life rights amidst India’s evolving health care systems.

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