Love, Truth & Dignity in Emotional ‘The Farewell Party’

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Rating: 5.0/5.0

CHICAGO – As the last cells in our carbon based forms decide to perish, how can our consciousness bear the stigma of that demise? This question is the theme of “The Farewell Party,” a Israeli/German production that combines the mix of feelings that come with old age, and the sorrowful truth that there are more goodbyes than anything else, with a burden that is brought to bear when a person is dying around family, friends and spouses.

This is a classy and important production, and it sneaks in some mordant and sharp humor, enough almost to categorize it as a dark comedy, if it wasn’t for the heavy decisions that the characters had to manage. The performances are superb, you realize that all the older actors are living their parts as they play them. The film makes a case for death with dignity – think of the work of Jack Kevorkian – and does it with the flood of emotions that would be expectant in such a circumstance. The film also celebrates and honors our humanity, the ability to rationalize and control certain destinies – it feels for all the characters, and it feels for us.

The retirement village of Yehezkel (Ze’ve Ravach) and his wife Levana (Levana Finkelstein) is rocked when their best friend Yana (Aliza Rosen) pleads for a solution to her terminally ill husband’s suffering. Yana knows that Yehezkel is a tinkerer, and together with Dr. Daniel (IIan Dar) and Rafi (Raffi Tavor) they devise a “Death with Dignity” machine that the dying soul activates themselves.

A Mount Rushmore of Morality in ‘The Farewell Party’
Photo credit: Samuel Goldwyn Films

The technique is to videotape the subjects expressing their wishes, and allow them to press a button which starts the machine. It works with Yana’s husband, but word spreads throughout the village that the machine exists, and others start to beg for its use on behalf of their ill family members, or themselves. The whole situation comes home for Yehezkel when Levana realizes her Alzheimer’s Disease is advancing rapidly, and a decision must be made.

The film is set in Israel – written and directed with honor by Tal Granit and Sharon Maymon – and has a balance of truth and humor that is blessed with cultural tradition. Particularly representative of this is Aliza Rosen as Yana, who will stop at nothing to bring relief to her husband. It is her iron will, coupled with her courage, that spreads to the experts and manufactures the machine. The move, when completed, seems to embolden her – she is a revitalized spark of death-with-dignity advocacy and joie de vivre.

The actor Ze’ev Ravach carries the burden of Yehezkel, it is his ultimate expertise that creates the suitcase sized mercy machine. The moral dilemma he suffers from, when faced with other people and his own wife, is quite poignant. Ravach handles the mixtures of his compassion with the malleability of an old pro, and his performance is stunning in places, while handing comedy, drama and sadness all in one role.

But that it the point, the cast is living their parts as they perform them. The hangdog expressions of impending death are real, it is knocking on their doors. The parts of absurdity and happiness are as much an important atmosphere as the inevitable sorrow. This is a film where I noticed the performances, just because I realized that their naturalism creates a necessary truth.

Medical Marijuana, Nudity and Thou in ‘The Farewell Party’
Photo credit: Samuel Goldwyn Films

It’s impossible to watch this film and not be moved by what is presented. Death touches us all, in all phases of life, and the friends, family, spouses and caregivers ring similar in our lives. Even though it is set in a circle of elderly folks, it is or will be all of us, sooner that we think. The film is advocating death-with-dignity, and had a information display at the theater in Chicago, which I assume is happening at all the screenings. It’s something to think about – and as “Fiddler on the Roof” opined – something to drink about.

We do not know if we will be blessed with the opportunity to control the destiny of our demise. There are a million factors in play, and a million people who decide on those factors. But as “The Farewell Party” expresses, why not leave that ultimate decision to the carbon based consciousness of the dying cells.

By PATRICK McDONALD Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com