Right-to-die camp releases 'horror' film

Right-to-die campaigners want people to know the horror of dying, releasing a short film before assisted dying laws are put to Victorian parliament.

A graphic short film re-enacting the final days of a cancer sufferer has been released by assisted-dying campaigners before a controversial vote in Victoria's parliament.

Stop The Horror depicts the agonising death of Victorian father Greg Sims, as recalled by his daughter Nia.

It is the latest project from award-winning Snowtown director Justin Kurzel and was released on Thursday by Go Gentle Australia as part of its campaign to see assisted dying legalised.

"This film is not for the faint-hearted. People are dying like this every day in Victoria and nobody is talking about it," Go Gentle campaign director Paul Price said.

"It's hard to watch but if we look away the suffering will never end."

Stop The Horror was shot in one day and Mr Kurzel spoke with Ms Sims throughout production to ensure accuracy.

Mr Sims was 56 when he died of brain cancer while in palliative care.

In the film, Mr Sims can be seen writhing in pain as his family struggle to cope emotionally.

"None of us should have to go through that. As a family, it's an understatement to say we were traumatised," Ms Sims wrote.

She also has a chronic illness and says the idea of dying like her father is terrifying.

"As a person with a disability, I feel anything but threatened by this law. I feel protected and empowered by this law ... to have control over my own life," she told 3AW on Thursday.

"I have a choice. This is all about choice. It's voluntary for both the person dying, imminently dying and the doctors and nurses involved."

The Victorian parliament will hold a conscience vote this year on whether to create assisted dying laws for the terminally ill.


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Source: AAP


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