Out to sea: when life is an obligation

out to sea is a 2004 Spanish film directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring Javier Bardem. The film is inspired by a true story, the life of Ramón Sampedro, a man who, after becoming quadriplegic, decides to end his life..

Ramón Sampedro’s story was highly covered in the media in Spain, a country where euthanasia is not legal; 20 years have passed since the death of Ramón Sampedro and, to this day, the law still does not contemplate assisted suicide, therefore, this story is once again in the spotlight.

out to sea rekindled the flame of controversy and reopened a case that was not yet completely closed, since they had acquitted Ramona Maneiro, the woman who helped him die, due to lack of evidence and, later, she confessed guilty when the crime had already prescribed. The first film inspired by this story was condemned to live (2001), but without a doubt the most recognized and acclaimed was out to seaawarded the Oscar for best foreign language film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jcHg4LLP_k

Despite the success, he also received negative criticism from the press and some groups of quadriplegics who questioned Sampedro’s attitude towards life. The film, however, simply brings us closer to a real case with a lot of media coverage and the question of the right to a dignified death.to the freedom to decide to which Sampedro appealed.

Ramón Sampedro, in addition to his media and cinematographic legacy, captured his story in two written works: Letters from hell and when I fall, the latter published posthumously. All of this has made Ramón Sampedro become a figure easily recognizable by the majority of Spaniards and a character linked to the fight for euthanasia.

Out to sea, live or die?

Ramón Sampedro was born in Galicia in 1943, he worked as a merchant sailor until, at the age of 25, he suffered an accident that would leave him bedridden for the rest of his life. Knowing that he could never move again, that his life would always depend on the care of other people, Ramón Sampedro made the decision to die, and he wanted to do it in a dignified way, which is why he became the first Spaniard to request assisted suicide.. This turned his case into a source of controversy and a fight with the courts.

Seeing that her wish was not going to be fulfilled within the law, she decided to do it secretly and, to do so, she had the help of her friend Ramona Maneiro. because, due to his quadriplegic condition, Ramón could not do it by himself.

Ramón recorded a video while drinking a glass of water with potassium cyanide in which he explained why he believed he deserved to die with dignity and how he had carried out this action. He also clarified that they should not look for someone to blame. He was the brain of the plan and the people who collaborated with him only offered their hands.

In the film, we see certain discrepancies about Ramón’s decision: On the one hand, we have the various members of his family, who are opposed to death. His brother considers that they want the best for Ramón and that the best thing is not to die. On the other hand, we find some characters who empathize with Ramón, especially Julia, a lawyer and Rosa, a neighbor who, at first, is contrary, but will end up helping Ramón.

Rosa’s character will be crucial, she is partially inspired by Ramona Maneiro and she will be in charge of helping Ramón. At first, she approaches him after seeing him on television and believes that she can help him regain the will to live, however, she will end up falling in love with him and understanding that she must accept her decision.

Julia, for her part, will be the one to take the case to court; she, unlike Rosa, understands Ramón from the beginning.since he also suffers from a degenerative disease and is considering the option of committing suicide.

Why did Ramón Sampedro want to die? Why did he say that his life was not worthy? Countless groups reacted to his statements, ensuring that a quadriplegic person can be happy and can live with dignity.

One of the most critical moments in this aspect is witnessed when a quadriplegic priest comes to see Ramón, both begin a discussion about ethical, moral and religious issues. The priest insists that life belongs to God and that living is not just about running or moving your arms, that you can live in a wheelchair in the most dignified way possible. It is not that Sampedro does not accept or understand this position, He simply does not want to live, he does not want to continue fighting or accept the wheelchair, he prefers to die peacefully.

All this leads us to think that, Regarding this question, there is no correct or certain position. It is not a better option to choose to live or die, they are simply personal and individual decisions, in which we should not intervene. Surely it seems crazy to all of us to force a person to die or convince them to die, but why force someone to live?

Out to sea, the controversy surrounding euthanasia

The truth is that euthanasia is a delicate issue because, in addition to the personal decision, other factors intervene such as cultural, religious, mourning by family members and loved ones, etc. Accepting death is not easy for anyone, but accepting that someone wants to die is even more complicated..

For Ramón Sampedro, life was an obligation, his disability meant hell and instead of trying to regain the will to live, he decided to fight to die., for dying with dignity and that no one would have legal problems after his death. In out to seawe are witnessing this legal battle that continues to this day.

In some countries such as Belgium, Holland and some states in the United States, euthanasia is something legal that has become completely normal in healthcare. and more and more people are requesting this type of death. It is not that euthanasia is contagious, it is that it has always existed and cases like that of Ramón Sampedro are not so strange, but they have always remained in the shadows and have achieved death behind the back of the law.

The media coverage of the case, the video of his death, the appearance of the film out to sea, etc. led to the opening of the debate in Spain; a debate that, as we have seen, faces countless positions. This confrontation, however, leads nowhere, because the truth is that if someone is convinced of his decision, he will do everything possible to make it a reality.

It is normal for family members to be the main ones affected and, at first, to refuse to accept that a loved one wants to die. The truth is that, in these cases, understanding, love and even psychological support for family members can be key on this path to acceptance.

We cannot judge anyone for their decisions or actions, nor can we force them to change their minds, what is correct? There is probably nothing right, only respect for a decision. out to sea It shows us that we can agree or not, but, in the end, love and understanding will be stronger than any personal idea.

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