Mademoiselle and the Doctor (ATOM Study Guide)

Mademoiselle and the Doctor is a powerful and provocative documentary suitable for senior secondary and tertiary students, about the decision to terminate one's own life. Its portrayal of the ethical and moral arguments raised by the euthanasia debate will engage students in many different areas of the curriculum. Mademoiselle and the Doctor began as an exploration of Dr Philip Nitschke's involvement with Exit International. Dr Philip Nitschke is an Australian doctor and advocate of euthanasia. His work is celebrated by some and criticized by others. Since 1995, Nitschke's focus has been voluntary euthanasia.

Janine Hosking, the filmmaker, was keen to learn more about the elderly people, some healthy and others terminally ill, who want to prepare themselves for death. Over time, the documentary became the story of Lisette Nigot's decision to end her life before she turned eighty. Lisette was born in France but had lived in Australia for many years. The documentary explores people's right to assisted suicide, whether or not they have a terminal illness. Mademoiselle and the Doctor offers an insight into Nigot's actions, documenting her decision and the involvement of Nitschke. Lisette Nigot did not want to reach the age of eighty. She was not ill. She was not depressed. She was determined to end her life. In 2000, Nigot joined Exit Australia and attended a workshop in Perth. Nigot allowed Janine Hosking to commence filming three weeks before her suicide and Mademoiselle and the Doctor is her public statement on her decision to commit suicide which became front page news and which was widely condemned by the media.

Janine Hosking is a journalist and filmmaker who has worked as a reporter, producer and director on many well-known Australian television programs, including the ABC's Australian Story. In 1998 she won Australia's prestigious Walkley Award for journalism and she produced and directed the award-winning feature-length documentary My Khmer Heart. Mademoiselle and the Doctor is Hosking's second feature-length documentary. It has screened to critical acclaim at both Australian and international film festivals.

The study guide for Mademoiselle and the Doctor provides information and suggestions for learning activities in many subject areas. It will be of particular interest to Media Studies teachers as an example of how the media frames debate around important issues in Australia. It has discussion starters and activities that will challenge students to consider ethical, medical, religious and legal issues currently being debated in Australia about Euthanasia. The study guide is for the 55-minute version of the documentary, rated M, and is suitable for viewing by senior secondary students. A 92-minute version of Mademoiselle and the Doctor, rated MA, has screened at cinemas.

Curriculum Links:
The film and study guide are relevant to senior secondary and tertiary students in the subject areas of:

• SOSE / HSIE
• Media Studies
• Religious Studies
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Science
• Health and Physical Education