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Arts & Culture

Right To Die Film Series Presents 'The Leisure Seeker'

Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland star as an aging couple facing end of life questions with a road trip in "The Leisure Seeker."
Sony Pictures Classics
Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland star as an aging couple facing end of life questions with a road trip in "The Leisure Seeker."

Hemlock Society of San Diego uses film to educate on end of life issues

The Hemlock Society of San Diego continues its Right to Die Film Series this Sunday at the Mission Valley Library with "The Leisure Seeker."

The Hemlock Society of San Diego draws its name from Socrates who, when faced with death or exile, chose to drink Hemlock. Faye Girssh founded the organization more than 30 years ago to address right-to-die issues.

"We are and have been actually the most active chapter in the country of the Hemlock Society which believes that people should have a choice in how they die they should die consistent with their own values beliefs and preferably the law and if they choose to have a gentle peaceful nonviolent death with their loved ones present that should be an option for them. And that's hard to achieve," Girsh said in an interview last year for my podcast.

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One tool the Hemlock Society employs to educate people is showing films about death and dying. "The Leisure Seeeker" stars Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren as an aging couple who decide to hit the road rather than die in a nursing home.

The film screens at 1:30 p.m., Sunday at Mission Valley Library and will be followed by a discussion.

Right To Die Film Series Presents ‘The Leisure Seeker’
The Hemlock Society of San Diego continues its Right to Die Film Series this Sunday at the Mission Valley Library with "The Leisure Seeker." You can hear this story and other local news every morning by subscribing to San Diego Stories, KPBS’ daily news podcast. Subscribe via iTunes, Google Play or your favorite podcatcher.