Revelation this week that Robin Williams was suffering from early onset Parkinson’s disease and that this may have played a role in his decision to take his own life. For me this adds to an ongoing preoccupation with the complexity of suicide and euthanasia in all of its impacts and interpretations from tragic despair and cry for help to, in some cases, a considered choice for self-determination.
At the same time, this biographical documentary on Stephen Hawking’s remarkable life offers a look at one man’s fight to exist and continue working in the face of unimaginable physical adversity.
Hawking is the extraordinary story of the planet’s most famous living scientist, told for the first time in his own words and by those closest to him. Made with unique access to Hawking’s private life, this is an intimate and moving journey into Stephen’s world, both past and present. An inspirational portrait of an iconic figure, Hawking relates his incredible personal journey from boyhood under-achiever, to PhD genius, to being diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease and given just two years to live. Despite the constant threat of death, Hawking manages to make many remarkable scientific discoveries and rises to fame and super-stardom. Hawking – a remarkable man, and a remarkable movie. Here is a direct video link.
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