Griefwalker
This documentary introduces us to Stephen Jenkinson, once the leader of a palliative care counselling team at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital. Through his daytime job, he has been at the deathbed of well over 1,000 people. What he sees over and over, he says, is "a wretched anxiety and an existential terror" even when there is no pain. Indicting the practice of palliative care itself, he has made it his life's mission to change the way we die - to turn the act of dying from denial and resistance into an essential part of life.
This documentary introduces us to Stephen Jenkinson, once the leader of a palliative care counselling team at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital. Through his daytime job, he has been at the deathbed of well over 1,000 people. What he sees over and over, he says, is "a wretched anxiety and an existential terror" even when there is no pain.
Indicting the practice of palliative care itself, he has made it his life's mission to change the way we die - to turn the act of dying from denial and resistance into an essential part of life.
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writerTim Wilson
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directorTim Wilson
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producerAnnette Clarke
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editorHannele Halm
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cinematographyTim Wilson
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sound recordistAlex SalterAo LooKate KechnieTim Wilson
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additional cameraDerek RogersKate KechnieKent Nason
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production supervisorPatsy Coughran
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sound editorLorraine Clarke
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original musicNance AckermanJamie Alexander Alcorn
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musicianJamie Alexander AlcornJamie GattiHillary BrownNance AckermanPeter BrownSean Kemp
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additional musicLeo Zhang
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consultantBarry StevensChristopher LowryManfred Becker
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still photographHeather Rivlin
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assistant editorAriel NasrTrevor Schellinck
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post-production technical supportAmélie BolducDanielle RaymondIsabelle PainchaudLouis DupuisMartine ForgetPatsy CoughranPierre DupontPierre FerlatteSteve HalléSylvain Desbiens
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online editorYannick Carrier
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re-recordingJean Paul Vialard
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transcription servicesCandice Desormeaux
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titlesSam Decoste
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marketingAmy Stewart GallantCandice DesormeauxPhilip Moscovitch
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production coordinatorStephanie CoolenVanessa Larsen
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centre administratorJohn William Lutz
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executive producerKent Martin
Before viewing the film, have a discussion with students on their beliefs about death, dying, and the after-life, reflecting on how our religious views affect our beliefs. Post viewing: Suggest reasons why Steve Jenkinson has such unique convictions. Where do his ideas come from? As a group, discuss what Jenkinson means when he says “death makes us into human beings.” Comment on and identify the many examples of symbolism that director Tim Wilson uses in his film. What purpose does the symbolism serve?
Griefwalker, Tim Wilson, provided by the National Film Board of Canada