ADDICTED TO LIFE
The dramatic life-and-death story of Paralympian Marieke Vervoort
86 minutes and 56 minutes (tv version), 2022; USA and Belgium
SYNOPSIS
Strong-willed, funny, and charismatic, at 37, Belgian Paralympic champion Marieke Vervoort’s time is running out. A debilitating illness she has had for more than 20 years has begun to take its toll. As Marieke's strength falters and her body begins to fail, she decides to take control by signing papers to request medical aid-in-dying, a controversial procedure that is forbidden by law in most other countries.
Liberated and empowered by now having the legal permission to end her life, Marieke again discovers the freedom and thrill of living and of competition. Recovering her sense of self-determination, over the next decade, Marieke postpones her decision to die. Through sheer willpower and strength of character, she wins Gold in wheelchair-racing in the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
Even as her health deteriorates, her spirit soars. While managing the struggle and emotions of friends and family as they try to accept her decision, Marieke continues to live life to the max, addicted to the adrenaline and adventure of international travel, intense competition, media attention, and a wildly physical bucket list, including indoor-skydiving and bungee-jumping.
Throughout, Marieke draws people to her: fans, girlfriends, celebrities, and other people with disabilities. With virtually unlimited access, ADDICTED TO LIFE intimately documents this determined, vulnerable, and astonishing athlete through the dramatic events of her final inspirational three years, during which Marieke's acceptance of death becomes an affirmation of life. Marieke demystifies one of the most controversial issues of our time.
Length 86 minutes
56 minute television version also available
Marieke winning gold at the 2012 London Paralympics photo: Luc Dequick Belgian Paralympic Committee
Rio, 2016 at the Paralympic Games: Marieke wins silver and bronze. At a widely-covered press conference, she gives an impassioned public statement that all nations should allow their citizens the right to choose how to die. She becomes a new heroine of the right-to-die movement and suddenly is known around the world.
Produced in association with ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
In Co-Production with CANVAS
With support from The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre by the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in association with The New York Foundation for the Arts, 2022
Fiscal sponsor Human Arts Association. This project is made possible by the NY State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NY State Legislature, post-production grant, 2019; With the support of King Baudouin Foundation Grant, 2021 and The Hibiscus Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, 2021 and The Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), 2021.
© Blinding Light, Inc. and Associate Directors, 2022