The Vanishing Line is a 52-minute video that challenges medical students and physicians to consider dying as a natural human process requiring compassion, understanding and communication. This personal documentary, by physician and filmmaker Maren Monsen, describes her own first encounter with death, as well as how her attitude evolved from clinical detachment to compassionate understanding.
To make this leap, Monsen consulted a hospice social worker, Jim Brigham. As Brigham visits with his terminally ill patients, the viewer witnesses how conversations can facilitate the patient’s decision-making process. He helps patients to discuss sensitive issues such as do not resuscitate orders, whether to die at home or in a hospital and comfort measures patients may want to be taken. His compassion is clearly an important element in supporting patients and families through the process of dying. Brigham also describes how his wife’s death from multiple sclerosis in 1986 influenced his views about the end of life.
The Vanishing Line put a very personal voice to the paramount questions in end-of-life care. Technology, compassionate care, and understanding are all significant parts in the dying process. Doctors may appreciate Monsen’s candor and presentation, and will enjoy learning from this physician-filmmaker who is currently at Stanford University.
The video has won several awards, including the 1998 Award of Excellence at the Nashville Independent Film Festival. To rent or purchase it, contact First Run/Icarus Films, 153 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014 or call 1-800-876-1710.