The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner
What are you doing on Sunday? The Grand Cinema has a special film on the docket that you should seriously consider. Tickets are limited!
The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner clip from Just Media on Vimeo.
On Sunday, June 6th at 2:30 p.m. the Grand will host a one-time only screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary short film, The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner. Because the film has not officially been released yet, this sneak preview of the film will be the first time that it has screened in Tacoma.
Booth Gardner served as Washington’s governor from 1985 to 1993. Soon after his retirement he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that progressively impairs speech and motor skills. Gardner later spearheaded the 2008 passage of Washington’s Death With Dignity Act which allows for terminally ill patients to request and self-administer lethal medication prescribed by a physician. The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner tracks Gardner over the final weeks leading up to the Act’s 2008 election, following the debates and the toll they took on Gardner’s health. This 38 minute film was one of five short films nominated for the 2010 Academy Award for Documentary Short.
Following the screening, a discussion will be held in the theater. The filmmaker is anticipated to be in attendance to participate in the conversation. Because seating is limited, people are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, either in person at the Grand Cinema or through our website at www.grandcinema.com. Standard admission prices apply with discounts for students, seniors, military and members of the Grand.
More information at GrandCinema.com
Filed under: General
1 comments
A Andrew R Campbell June 3, 2010
Wow- I’ve followed Booth Gardner and DWD over the last few years but didn’t even know this film had been made, I’m looking forward to seeing it. I have a lot of family and friends working in hospice around Tacoma and this issue has been a definite game changer for them and for their patients, a number of whom are prescribed the medication and never actually use it. What Gardner seemed to understand about the situation is that it’s not the actual ending of life as much as it’s the availability of choice. When you’re left feeling that powerless and your entire life is changed by something beyond your control, it makes all the difference in the world to know that you maintain control over something, even if it’s only an option.
He’s an interesting guy with a view on this issue that’s worth listening to. This should be a good one.