MADEMOISELLE AND THE DOCTOR

1 STUDYGUIDE ISSUE 36 ISSUE SCREEN EDUCATION SCREEN MONICA BYRNE / KATY MARRINER MADEMOISELLE

INTRODUCTION

This study guide to accompany Mademoiselle and the Doctor, a documentary by iKandy Films, has been written for senior secondary students. It provides information and sugges- tions for learning activities in SOSE/HSIE, Legal Studies, English and Religious Education. > This study guide is for the fifty-five minute version of the documentary, rated M, and is suit- able for viewing by senior secondary students. A ninety-two minute version of Mademoiselle and the Doctor, rated MA, has recently screened at cinemas. > For some students in the class, viewing a documentary about the decision to terminate one’s own life may be con- fronting. Teachers need to respect the personal circumstances of these students and remain aware of their sensitivities.

About the Filmmaker About the Documentary Mademoiselle Lisette Nigot

Janine Hosking – Director/ Mademoiselle and the Doctor is a Lisette Nigot was born in France in Producer powerful and provocative documen- 1922. Raised by her grandparents, she tary because of its portrayal of the attended the Sorbonne and, after the Janine Hosking is a journalist and ethical and moral arguments raised by war, won a scholarship to the Universi- filmmaker. She has worked as a the debate. Mademoiselle ty of Chicago. Later she worked in the reporter,producer and director on and the Doctor began as an explora- publicity department of the Waldorf many well-known Australian televi- tion of Dr Philip Nitschke’s involve- Astoria Hotel. Nigot moved to in sion programs, including the ABC’s ment with ; Janine 1967 in a quest for a quieter life and Australian Story. In 1998 she won Hosking was keen to learn more about began teaching French grammar at the ’s prestigious Walkley Award the elderly people, some healthy and University of Western Australia. Nigot’s for journalism for her documentary others terminally ill, who want to pre- life was one of adventure and joy. ISSUE 36

ISSUE 36 about a young burns victim. Hosking pare themselves for death. Over time, Lisette Nigot did not want to reach the produced and directed the award-win- the documentary became the story of age of eighty. She was not ill. She was

ning feature length documentary My Lisette Nigot’s decision to end her life not depressed. She was determined to SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU Khmer Heart. Mademoiselle and the before she turned eighty. The docu- end her life. In 2000, Nigot joined Exit Doctor is Hosking’s second feature mentary explores people’s right to Australia and attended a workshop in C C length documentary. It has screened , whether or not they Perth. Nigot allowed Janine Hosking ATION ATION to critical acclaim at both Australian have a terminal illness. Mademoiselle to commence filming three weeks be- and international film festivals. and the Doctor offers an insight into fore her suicide and Mademoiselle and Nigot’s actions, documenting her deci- the Doctor is her public statement on 2 sion and the involvement of Nitschke. her decision to commit suicide. Nigot 3 AND THE DOCTOR took her own life a month before her • Who is Dr Philip Nitschke? this documentary? eightieth birthday. Her suicide became • What makes a life worth living? • How has your understanding of front page news and many editorials • What thoughts, emotions and im- the issues facing the terminally ill condemned her actions, portraying her ages do you associate with death? and elderly changed after watching as vulnerable and depressed. Nigot’s How does our society deal with Mademoiselle and the Doctor? final statement offered her explanation death? • How can Lisette Nigot’s story for her decision, ‘I am terminating my • Should individuals have the right to influence our future? In a personal life now because I want to have con- terminate their lives if they believe sense? As a society? trol over my death…I do not intend to there is no longer any quality of wait till it is too late to die with dignity, life? Close Analysis I am taking the matter into my own hands, hoping that circumstances may Key Terms Euthanasia change to make it easier for others’. Use dictionaries, your texts and the • Should individuals have the right to Dr Philip Nitschke Internet to record definitions and decide the time of their death? enhance your understanding of these • What laws associated with eutha- Dr Philip Nitschke is an Australian key concepts: nasia exist in Australia? In other doctor and advocate of euthanasia. countries? His work is celebrated by some and • Euthanasia • In Mademoiselle and the Doctor criticized by others. Since 1995, • who supports euthanasia? Why? Nitschke’s focus has been voluntary • Slow Euthanasia Who are the opponents of eutha- euthanasia. He assisted with the • Suicide nasia? Why? Undertake further passage of Marshall Perron’s ‘Rights • Assisted suicide research and create a data chart of the Terminally Ill’ Act. Four of • Terminal illness that states the arguments for and Nitschke’s patients made use of the • Palliative care against euthanasia and names Territory’s ROTI Act prior to it be- • Exit International the supporters and opponents of ing overturned by the Andrews Bill. • Australia euthanasia. Nitschke’s work primarily involves • Australian Medical Association • What does Mademoiselle and the campaigning for the euthanasia issue, • Rights of the Terminally Ill Act Doctor show to be our society’s researching new ways of controlling • The Andrews Bill understanding of euthanasia? death and dying, and working with • Co Gen Machine • After viewing Mademoiselle and terminally ill patients who wish to have the Doctor, what do you now un- the right to end their lives. Nitschke After viewing the derstand about euthanasia? has established Euthanasia Advisory documentary • What are some of the myths Clinics and Euthanasia Advisory Work- surrounding euthanasia? Who is shops in all Australian capitals. All clin- • After watching Mademoiselle and responsible for perpetuating these ics are free and funded by donations the Doctor, what are you left won- myths? Does the documentary to Exit International. Nitschke also dering? dispel any of these myths? directs the Exit Research Program that • What expectations did you bring • ‘At the current time in Australia investigates improved ways of obtain- to the documentary? Were any of assisting or helping someone ing a peaceful death. these expectations challenged? to die carries a sentence which • What parts of the story resonated ranges from fourteen years in Using Mademoiselle with you? New South Wales, to life impris- and the Doctor in the • Were you challenged by the story onment in Western Australia and classroom of the documentary? Why? Why Queensland.’Suicide is not a crime not? What scenes did you find but anyone found guilty of assist- Teachers may select from the following confronting? ing a person’s suicide can face activities to support students’ viewing • What are the central concerns of a jail term. How do individuals and close analysis of Mademoiselle the documentary? How do you in Mademoiselle and the Doctor ISSUE 36

ISSUE 36 and the Doctor. know? respond to this concern? What do • Whose point of view is established you think of their responses?

and endorsed in Mademoiselle and • Consider the newspaper banners SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU Before viewing the documentary the Doctor? and articles, television news re- • Who do you think the documentary ports and radio interviews included C C • What is euthanasia? Allow stu- is trying to communicate its mes- in Mademoiselle and the Doctor. ATION ATION dents to share their understanding sages to? How has the media portrayed the of euthanasia. • After watching Mademoiselle and decisions of those who have cho- • How does society view euthana- the Doctor, what comments would sen to end their own lives? What 4 sia? you make about the purpose of are the connotations of the lan- 5 shape your response to Nigot? know what else to be.’ shore? • Why do you think Lisette Nigot Describe Lisette Nigot’s tone as • What reactions to Lisette Nigot’s decided to tell her story? she discusses her death. What death are shown in the film? • What do we learn about Lisette does her manner reveal about her • Were there any alternatives for Nigot’s life? Why does the film- and her decision? How has Nigot Lisette Nigot? What alternatives to maker highlight the glamorous and prepared for her death? What mo- Nigot’s course of action does Dr libertine moments of Nigot’s life? ments in the documentary suggest Bernard Pearn-Rowe of the Aus- Did you enjoy Nigot’s recollections that her decision to die, before she tralian Medical Association (AMA) of her life? Do you get a sense of turns eighty, was well considered? offer? her values? • In Mademoiselle and the Doctor, • In reporting her suicide many • ‘Religion is stupid.’Lisette Nigot the filmmaker shows Lisette Nigot media commentators described was raised by her grandmother, with her pet bird and a bag of sun- Lisette Nigot as a ‘vulnerable and whom she describes as, ‘a truly flower seeds. Later, Nigot shows depressed spinster’. Is this how Christian woman…a devout Cath- how the bag can be used to suf- Mademoiselle and the Doctor olic’. Nigot is an atheist. Why did focate. This is a method she would portrays Nigot? Do you think Nigot she choose to become an atheist? prefer not to use, claiming it is ‘not is ‘fragile’ and ‘vulnerable’? • ‘I could have married a number a nice way to die’ even though • An editorial in the West Australian of times.’‘I couldn’t be very ‘according to Philip, a very good following Lisette Nigot’s suicide faithful.’What do these admis- way’. Nigot demonstrates how it argued that Nigot’s death was not sions tell us about Lisette Nigot? could be done, claiming, ‘I’ll take it about euthanasia but a rejection Why has the filmmaker chosen to off before I die.’ As Nigot plans her of old age. Do you agree? How do include such candid statements? death, what does she fear? Why is you think Nigot would answer this • Why do you think it might be im- a dignified death so important to claim? portant to examine Lisette Nigot’s Nigot? What does Nigot’s desire to • Should individuals respect Lisette history? Do you think her past is avoid a violent death reveal about Nigot’s decision? guage used to report and debate • Is euthanasia only the right of the the filmmaker include this informa- important in shaping her decision her? • Should society condemn Lisette the decisions of those who have terminally ill? What view is offered tion? to end her life? • Janine Hosking asks Lisette Nigot, Nigot’s actions? chosen to end their own lives? by Mademoiselle and the Doctor? • In M ademoiselle and the Doctor, • ‘I might as well go while the going ‘What if you’re wrong?’ How does • Was Lisette Nigot’s decision cou- • Tom Ryan in his review, ‘A Time to • Dr Nitschke helped four people to Dr Nitschke explains how the Co- is good.’ Nigot respond and what does her rageous? Live, A Time to Die’ in ‘Preview’, die during the time voluntary eu- Gen Machine works by deliver- Why does Lisette Nigot fear old response reveal about her philoso- The Sunday Age (05.12.04, p.13) thanasia was legal in the Northern ing lethal carbon monoxide via a age? phy on life and death? Philip Nitschke says, ‘The film’s chief strength lies Territory. Research the ROTI Act nasal tube. What do you notice? • ‘I don’t think death is a laughable • Why are the final images of Lisette in the way it’s able to cut past the and the Andrews Bill. What does What does this scene tell us about matter.’ Nigot those of her on the beach • How is the audience introduced to half truths and misrepresentations this legislation say about soci- Nitschke’s determination to give ‘I’m flippant only because I don’t watching the waves crash onto the Dr Nitschke? in some branches of the media.’ ety’s perspective on euthanasia? individuals control over their life How does Mademoiselle and the In Mademoiselle and the Doctor, and death? Doctor portray the media’s cover- Nitschke reveals his opinion of • ‘The Co-Genie is launched into age of euthanasia? the legislation. What is Nitschke’s the world.’Mademoiselle and the • Mademoiselle and the Doctor view? Doctor shows pensioners building mentions Sydney and Marjorie • Why did Dr Nitschke move away their own Co-Gen Machine, the Croft, a Rockhampton couple from a legislative approach to Co-Genie. What do you notice? who chose to end their lives in voluntary euthanasia? What does this scene tell us about 2002. The Crofts had attended • Who was Bob Dent? Why is individuals taking control over their Exit Workshops. What does the reference made to his story in life and death? documentary tell us about their Mademoiselle and the Doctor? decision to end their lives? Under- In the documentary, Dr Nitschke Lisette Nigot take further research and arrive at reads from Dent’s letter. What does a more informed understanding Dent’s statement reveal about his • How are we introduced to Lisette of the Crofts’ decision. Create a decision to terminate his own life? Nigot? ISSUE 36

ISSUE 36 radio transcript, news bulletin or What do you think about Dent’s • ‘I wish I were dead…I can hardly newspaper article about the Crofts’ decision? wait.’Why does Lisette Nigot want

decision to end their lives. • In Mademoiselle and the Doctor, to end her life? What do you think SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU • Some would argue that the pro- the filmmaker includes archival of her reasoning? hibition of euthanasia does not footage of the Euthanasia Machine • What does the documentary tell us C C cause unnecessary suffering, but that now resides in the British about Lisette Nigot? ATION ATION instead protects the elderly and Museum. This technology assisted • How does the documentary the vulnerable. Do you believe this individuals to take their lives whilst portray Lisette Nigot? How do the to be so? What view is offered by voluntary euthanasia was legal in close-ups of her face and the di- 6 Mademoiselle and the Doctor? the . Why does rect questions from the filmmaker 7 • What does the documentary tell us about society’s, the media’s and exchange is not without humour. about Dr Nitschke? Nitschke’s view of his work? Recall other moments when Nigot • How does the documentary por- deflects the seriousness of her tray Dr Nitschke? Mademoiselle and the Doctor situation with humour. What does • Describe Dr Nitschke’s office. this gesture reveal about Nigot and What do you notice? How does • Describe Dr Nitschke’s regard for her approach to both her life and this setting shape your sense of Lisette Nigot. What is Lisette Nig- death? Nitschke and his work? ot’s opinion of Dr Nitschke? How • ‘I don’t care what they put on my • Doctors are bound by the does Nigot challenge Nitschke’s death certificate.’ Dr Nitschke Hippocratic oath, part of which view of euthanasia? Can you see advises Lisette Nigot to leave a states, ‘I will not give poison to any similarities between Nigot and note and to make it clear she did anyone though asked to do so, Nitschke? not receive help. He also reminds nor will I suggest such a plan.’ The • How would you describe the con- her it is alright to change her plans. AMA has attempted to deregister versation that takes place between What does his advice reveal about Dr Nitschke four times because of Dr Nitschke and Lisette Nigot at the implications of Nigot’s decision his advocacy of voluntary eutha- her home in October 2002? What and actions? nasia. Does Dr Nitschke cross do you notice about the way • In the interview that follows Dr an ethical boundary by providing Nitschke responds to Nigot? Do Nitschke’s visit, the filmmaker tells Lisette Nigot and other participants you think Nitschke encourages Lisette Nigot of Nitschke’s feeling in Exit Workshops with information or discourages Nigot to pursue a of ‘great sadness’ as he contem- on how to die? particular course of action? plates her decision to die. How • Why does Dr Nitschke take risks • Dr Nitschke and Lisette Nigot does Nigot respond? What does and expose himself to arrest and discuss the collection of drugs her response reveal about her imprisonment? that she keeps in a biscuit tin. As relationship with Nitschke? • What arguments does Dr Nitschke they discuss expiry dates and the • Explain Dr Nitschke’s claim that use to defend himself against his stability of particular drugs, what there is ’nothing particularly tragic clientele are? scenes which focus on Exit commitment to euthanasia? critics? does the filmmaker reveal about about Lisette Nigot’s decision.’ What explanations are offered by Workshops and the participants? • How are still photographs used to • When we first meet Dr Nitschke Nigot and about the decision to How should an audience regard participants for attending these Consider both what you thought establish Lisette Nigot’s story? he is on the phone counseling terminate one’s life? his judgment? workshops? and felt as you watched these • Mademoiselle and the Doctor patients in his care. What do his • Lisette Nigot tells Dr Nitschke that • Like Lisette Nigot, the participants scenes and listened to the views of makes use of still photographs comments and behaviour reveal she is going to drink vodka and Exit Workshops do not want a ‘messy’ or ‘dramat- the participants. of the younger and older Lisette about the nature of his work? fruit juice with the lethal dose of ic’ way of ending life. What does • Are Exit Workshops a practical ap- Nigot, as Nigot speaks of losing • The filmmaker has included a medication. ‘Why not drink gin?’ • What are Exit Workshops? this reveal about their decision to proach to death? the ability to do all that she was CNN interview with Dr Nitschke. asks Nitschke once he knows • Who attends Exit Workshops? terminate their lives? • Should Exit Workshops be prohib- able to do. What is the impact of What does this interview reveal it is Nigot’s preferred drink. The Who does Dr Nitschke say his • How do the participants of Exit ited? juxtaposing these images? Workshops regard Dr Nitschke? • ‘Fragile’‘Vulnerable’‘Exploited’ • List the settings used by the film- Does Nitschke ‘entrap’ people?• These are the judgments of the maker. What do these settings The filmmaker uses frequent Western Australian President of the reveal about the concerns of Mad- close-ups on the hands of the par- AMA as he speaks of the partici- emoiselle and the Doctor? How ticipants of Exit Workshops. What pants of Exit Workshops. Is this are these settings used to create does this symbolize? your view of the participants? Is it meaning and draw an emotional • Why are Exit Workshops contro- the view offered by the filmmaker? response? versial? What information does Dr • What symbols and imagery are Nitschke provide at these work- Production Values used throughout the film? What do shops? they suggest about the filmmaker’s • How does the filmmaker portray • What expectations does the open- purpose? How do they add to our Exit Workshops? ing create? How are you posi- understanding? • ‘We don’t skirt or run away from tioned as a viewer? • Consider the sequencing of shots the difficult.’ • How are production values de- within key scenes. What meaning ISSUE 36

ISSUE 36 What is Dr Nitschke’s view of Exit signed to influence the audience’s is conveyed? Workshops? What do you notice response to: • How does music shape our re-

about Nitschke’s coping mecha- ú Lisette Nigot sponse to Mademoiselle and the SCREEN EDU SCREEN EDU nisms during the workshops? ú Dr Philip Nitschke Doctor? • ‘My husband doesn’t approve.’ ú Exit Workshops and workshop • What is the impact of the filmmak- C C ‘Here’s cheers to our everlasting participants er’s off-camera questions as she ATION ATION lives.’ ú The opponents of euthanasia interviews Lisette Nigot? ‘In the final analysis you are by • The documentary makes signifi- yourself.’ • What techniques has the filmmaker cant use of the final statements 8 How did you respond to the used to establish Dr Nitschke’s made by Lisette Nigot and others 9 who have decided to terminate debate of voluntary euthanasia. ties students encountered and why their own lives. How do these Present your findings to the class. such difficulties may exist. statements shape the telling of the • Conduct your own investigation • In most states and territories of individuals’ stories and influence into how the media in Australia has Australia there is a branch of the our opinion of their actions? portrayed those individuals who Voluntary Euthanasia Society • Why did the filmmaker use Exit have chosen to end their lives by and a branch of the Right to Life Workshops as a backdrop to the voluntary euthanasia. Association. Ask students to use exploration of Lisette Nigot’s deci- • What if the laws related to eutha- a search engine to access these sion and her relationship with Dr nasia were reformed? Explain the organizations. Spend time con- Nitschke? legal processes required to change sidering the information offered • The filmmaker makes frequent use the laws. Analyse how individuals, by each organization and the bias of typed information on a black groups, communities and legal that is evident in the debate over screen. What is the purpose of and political institutions may be voluntary euthanasia. offering such information to the affected by this change. audience? • ‘There’s this feeling around that References • Re-watch the scene that conveys what Lisette did was to say to Lisette Nigot’s death. How are pro- the rest of the world that she • Ryan, Tom ‘A Time to Live, A Time duction elements used to suggest doesn’t accept the world that we to Die’ ‘Preview’, The Sunday Age, that Nigot has died and the subse- value.’How does the commu- 05.12.04, pp.13 quent responses to her death? nity respond to individuals whose • ‘The Fatal Choice of a Healthy values may be quite different to Woman’ , 3.12.02 Related Activities what is considered ‘the norm’? • ‘Matters of Life and Death’ Sydney Why? Can you think of any other Morning Herald, 6.12.02 • Mademoiselle and the Doctor is an examples of individuals who have • ‘Beyond the Law’ , honest and sympathetic study of a challenged societal boundaries? 4.12.02 very sensitive topic. Discuss. • Research the notion of the sanctity • ‘Suicide asserts right to choice’ • Mademoiselle and the Doctor re- of life. What view of the sanctity of West Australian, 27.11.02 veals that we not only have a right life is offered by Christianity? What • Dr Nitschke and Dr to life but a choice to die. Discuss. does your faith teach about the have written a book called, Kill- • In legislating against euthanasia sanctity of life? ing me Softly. It will be available we are denying people respect. • Ask students to discuss how through Penguin in March 2005. Discuss with reference to Mad- contemporary society, their cultural emoiselle and the Doctor. background and their religion has Monica Byrne and Katy Marriner are • Lisette Nigot calls our society shaped their perceptions of death, teachers at St Columba’s College. ‘cowardly’ and ‘restrictive’. Do you grief and mourning. agree? • Is there a correct way to approach This study guide was produced by • Is allowing people the choice to and respond to death? ATOM. For more information about die with dignity an obligation of a • In reference to her health, Lisette ATOM study guides, The Educa- civilised society? In your response, Nigot says ‘I really have lived an tion Shop, The Speakers’ Bureau or refer to Mademoiselle and the Doc- enchanted life.’ A news report Screen Hub (the daily online film and tor. informs the audience that going by television newsletter) visit our web • The community will never reach statistics, Nigot could have ‘looked site: www.metromagazine.com.au or agreement over the issue of eutha- forward to another ten years email: [email protected] nasia. Discuss. of life.’ In an age of increasing • ‘Euthanasia is moral defiance.’ Dis- longevity, should a secular society Notice: An educational institution may cuss. deny people the right to choose to make copies of all or part of this Study end their lives? Guide, provided that it only makes and Going Further uses copies as reasonably required for Websites of Interest its own educational, non-commercial, • In 2005 Dr Nitschke is planning classroom purposes and does not sell to run workshops to manufacture • The Exit International Internet site or lend such copies.

ISSUE 36 a ‘suicide potion’, a - currently provides limited informa- based mixture that would enable tion. Laws to be introduced by the participants to terminate their lives. Federal Government, specifically SCREEN EDU Use the Internet to research the targeting Exit International, have development of the project and forced Exit International to remove

C society’s response to the project. information about means of volun- ATION • Nancy Crick died on 22 May 2002 tary euthanasia from its web site. after taking a lethal dose of barbitu- Ask students to use a search engine rates. Find out more about this case to access this organization and then 10 and how it has shaped Australia’s spend time discussing the difficul-