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You need to know this about SRF, ARD and ORF’s “Dio” euthanasia television event
Who determines if we don’t want to live anymore? We only? Society, God, family or medicine? Best-selling author Ferdinand von Schirach once again provides the blueprint for an explosive television experiment.
History
On October 17, 2016, ARD, SRF and ORF simultaneously broadcast “Terror – Your Judgment”. A film adaptation of the comedy of the same name by the German lawyer and writer Ferdinand von Schirach.
The plot: A plane is hijacked on its way to Munich, the hijacker’s goal is to crash it into a football stadium with 70,000 people. A fighter pilot faces the dilemma of his life: Should he shoot down the plane and kill 164 passengers to save 70,000? He decides to break down and thus the crime. Now he is being tried before the large criminal chamber of the Berlin jury court. And at the end of the deal, the television audience votes on guilt or innocence.
That was “terror” four years ago. Image: degeto
6.88 million people saw the “terror” in Germany, 285,000 in Switzerland and 849,000 in Austria. 80,000 took part in the vote in Switzerland, 84 per cent asked for acquittal, in Germany and Austria as much as 87 per cent. When the “terror” was shown in the theater, only 60 percent were in favor of acquittal. Now the experiment is repeated.
What is it now
“Gott” is also the film adaptation of a play by Ferdinand von Schirach. When it hit theaters earlier this year, the reviews were devastating and unfortunately, even as a movie, “God” is far behind “Terror”. We are not seeing a court hearing now, but a meeting of the German Ethics Council in Berlin. And such a session is a session is a session.
And this is “God”, that is Richard Gärtner (Matthias Habich, left) and his lawyer (Lars Eidinger). Image: SRF / ARD / Degeto / MOOVIE / Julia Terjung
Richard Gärtner, 78 and a widower for three years, wants to die. Even if it is healthy. Because with the death of his wife he lost all meaning and all orientation. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices denied him the desired poison. Likewise his family doctor. Now he wants to negotiate his case before the ethics council and take it to the public. His family doctor, a law professor, the president of the medical association, a bishop, several members of the ethics council and the gardener’s lawyer negotiate.
What are the arguments?
Medicine and the Church clearly say no in “God” to the question of whether assisted suicide is fundamentally permissible. The bishop argues, among other things, that a difference would be created between good and unworthy life, as the National Socialists called it, which would break an ethical dam. And that Christianity is a religion of suffering.
The representative of the medical association is in favor of alleviating psychological problems with therapies and physical pain in the event of imminent death with palliative medicine. The family doctor advises against attempting suicide in all circumstances, as the rate of those who fail and leave irreparable damage behind is too high. The lawyer states that there is no legal obligation to live. Switzerland, with its six euthanasia organizations, is a big problem.
Ina Weisse as Mrs. Keller of the Ethics Council and Anna Maria Mühe as the gardener’s doctor (right). Image: SRF / ARD / Degeto / MOOVIE / Julia Terjung
Further questions are: Who does our life belong to? The individual or a larger community? Does someone who wants to give up his healthy life in a self-determined way violate his social responsibility towards all those who depend on him? And with its past full of crusades, inquisitions and witch-burnings, and with all its recent crimes against young people and children, can the church prevent others from wanting to die?
How does it work?
Even now, after the broadcast, the public can decide whether Gärtner has the right to end his life with medical help. So it’s not only allowed to play judges, but God too. And in order not to be alone with all the questions raised by the film, there will be discussions with experts on all channels soon after. On SRF a “club” with Barbara Lüthi, on ARD “hard but fair” with Frank Plasberg, on ORF Peter Resetarits discusses with the guests.
Austria will not vote this time because the legal situation in Austria is different.
What is the legal situation?
– In Austria, assisted suicide is still a crime and is punishable by up to five years in prison. This only includes buying a train or plane ticket for someone who takes it to Switzerland to get help from a death organization.
– In Germany, as in Switzerland, assisted suicide is legal, but only since February 2020. By the way, the “Gott” team was in the middle of filming and the script had to be adapted.
To the right of Keller sit the bishop (Ulrich Matthes) and the law professor (Christiane Paul). Image: SRF / ARD / Degeto / MOOVIE / Julia Terjung
– Passive euthanasia (renunciation or suspension of life extension measures) and indirect euthanasia (it is accepted that the temporary improvement in the quality of life of an affected person can lead to death) are legal in all three countries.
– Active euthanasia or killing on demand is illegal in all three countries.
Where is the problem?
Contrary to «Terrore», which dealt with a fictitious but explosive court case, the discussion before the Ethics Council remains far too theoretical. The situation around the gardener and his figure seem cutlery and incredible. Gardeners would like to be advised to simply take care of their grandchildren. Or to go to Switzerland. However, interesting points are obviously addressed and Lars Eidinger as a lawyer who knows everything best and finds a better counter-argument for each argument is fantastic.
“God”: Monday, November 23, 20:15 on SRF 1, ARD, ORF.
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