DIRECTOR: Facundo Ponce de Leon, Juan Ponce de Leon
STARRING: documentary
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 19 minutes
LANGUAGE: Spanish
The film is a portrait of the birth of a friendship between two men, while one helps the other to die. The film is about the acceptance of pain, the sense of humour and the commitment to family and friends.
***
The Door is There is the directorial debut for Facundo Ponce de Leon and Juan Ponce de Leon. It was a nominee for best documentary at the Cinema Writers Circle Awards in Spain and it had its world premiere at the Malaga Film Festival in March 2023.
Every year the Uruguayan Cinema and Audiovisual Agency (ACAU) opens the call for national films to represent Uruguay in the preselection of the Oscars. The court is made up of a representative from each of the following associations: Association of Producers and Directors of Uruguay (ASOPROD); Directors and Screenwriters of Uruguay (DGU); GREMIOCINE; Uruguayan Society of Actors (SUA); and Association of Film Critics of Uruguay (ACCU). The Door is There won with the majority of the votes.
The film was produced by Mueca Films and A Contracorriente Films, which includes Ramon Cardini, Lucila Bortagaray and Facundo Ponce de Leon.
The Door is There is a documentary and it was filmed in Montevideo, Uruguay and in Mallorca, Spain.
To check out all previous submissions for Uruguay, click HERE.
STARRING: documentary
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 19 minutes
LANGUAGE: Spanish
The film is a portrait of the birth of a friendship between two men, while one helps the other to die. The film is about the acceptance of pain, the sense of humour and the commitment to family and friends.
***
The Door is There is the directorial debut for Facundo Ponce de Leon and Juan Ponce de Leon. It was a nominee for best documentary at the Cinema Writers Circle Awards in Spain and it had its world premiere at the Malaga Film Festival in March 2023.
Every year the Uruguayan Cinema and Audiovisual Agency (ACAU) opens the call for national films to represent Uruguay in the preselection of the Oscars. The court is made up of a representative from each of the following associations: Association of Producers and Directors of Uruguay (ASOPROD); Directors and Screenwriters of Uruguay (DGU); GREMIOCINE; Uruguayan Society of Actors (SUA); and Association of Film Critics of Uruguay (ACCU). The Door is There won with the majority of the votes.
The film was produced by Mueca Films and A Contracorriente Films, which includes Ramon Cardini, Lucila Bortagaray and Facundo Ponce de Leon.
The Door is There is a documentary and it was filmed in Montevideo, Uruguay and in Mallorca, Spain.
To check out all previous submissions for Uruguay, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“A slow death is not for me.”
The Door is There is a deeply moving exploration of euthanasia, highlighting the profound human elements that intertwine with such a sensitive subject. The film’s core is the evolving relationship between Fernando Sureda, a patient seeking euthanasia, and Dr. Enric Benito, the physician who becomes an unexpected ally and friend.
Starting with Fernando’s desperate wish to end his suffering due to ALS, the film delves into his battle with a debilitating disease that has left him almost entirely incapacitated. His decision to pursue euthanasia, despite his close family ties, speaks to his profound need for control over his own end-of-life decisions. Dr. Benito's approach contrasts sharply with Fernando’s request. Believing that death is a continuation rather than an end, Dr. Benito advocates for embracing the process of dying as a means to reach a higher state of consciousness. This philosophical difference becomes a crucial element of their interactions, as Dr. Benito guides Fernando through his journey with both professional expertise and personal compassion.
Their relationship is at the heart of the film, portrayed through their heartfelt video calls and voice recordings. These communications reveal the deep bond they develop, marked by both humor and profound emotional exchange. The film beautifully captures how their initial professional interaction grows into a genuine friendship, illustrating the human capacity for connection even in the face of life’s most challenging circumstances.
The Door is There also poignantly addresses the tension between the readiness to die and the physical realities of living with a terminal illness. Fernando’s preparedness to end his life contrasts with his still relatively functional physical state, adding layers of complexity to his journey. This contrast underscores the film’s exploration of personal autonomy versus the practical challenges of facing one’s mortality.
The film’s balance of comedy, personal interaction, and serious themes creates a powerful narrative that invites viewers to reflect on their own perspectives on death, dignity, and the human capacity for empathy. Dr. Benito and Fernando’s story becomes a testament to the profound connections that can form even in the most trying of times, and the film captures this with both sensitivity and authenticity. They both know that whichever way Fernando decides to go, all who remain will suffer. But they also know that when Fernando is 100% ready, the door is there for him to enter, to accept him and to surrender himself because what awaits is more than one can ever imagine.
REVIEW: B
(This review contains spoilers.)
“A slow death is not for me.”
The Door is There is a deeply moving exploration of euthanasia, highlighting the profound human elements that intertwine with such a sensitive subject. The film’s core is the evolving relationship between Fernando Sureda, a patient seeking euthanasia, and Dr. Enric Benito, the physician who becomes an unexpected ally and friend.
Starting with Fernando’s desperate wish to end his suffering due to ALS, the film delves into his battle with a debilitating disease that has left him almost entirely incapacitated. His decision to pursue euthanasia, despite his close family ties, speaks to his profound need for control over his own end-of-life decisions. Dr. Benito's approach contrasts sharply with Fernando’s request. Believing that death is a continuation rather than an end, Dr. Benito advocates for embracing the process of dying as a means to reach a higher state of consciousness. This philosophical difference becomes a crucial element of their interactions, as Dr. Benito guides Fernando through his journey with both professional expertise and personal compassion.
Their relationship is at the heart of the film, portrayed through their heartfelt video calls and voice recordings. These communications reveal the deep bond they develop, marked by both humor and profound emotional exchange. The film beautifully captures how their initial professional interaction grows into a genuine friendship, illustrating the human capacity for connection even in the face of life’s most challenging circumstances.
The Door is There also poignantly addresses the tension between the readiness to die and the physical realities of living with a terminal illness. Fernando’s preparedness to end his life contrasts with his still relatively functional physical state, adding layers of complexity to his journey. This contrast underscores the film’s exploration of personal autonomy versus the practical challenges of facing one’s mortality.
The film’s balance of comedy, personal interaction, and serious themes creates a powerful narrative that invites viewers to reflect on their own perspectives on death, dignity, and the human capacity for empathy. Dr. Benito and Fernando’s story becomes a testament to the profound connections that can form even in the most trying of times, and the film captures this with both sensitivity and authenticity. They both know that whichever way Fernando decides to go, all who remain will suffer. But they also know that when Fernando is 100% ready, the door is there for him to enter, to accept him and to surrender himself because what awaits is more than one can ever imagine.
REVIEW: B
