Tilda Swinton film Sparks euthanasia debate when it comes to the lineup of the 81st Venice Film Festival there aren't many directors launching films who are as acclaimed as Pedro Almodovar Al modavar has never been one to shy away from controversial topics the Spanish director is famed for his approach to celebrating unconventional family structures sexuality and emotionally complex female centered stories his filmography has scored the director a cult following in both copile circles and around family dinner tables his latest film The Room next door which premiered here at the Venice Film Festival this week is no exception delving into one of the last taboos in modern society euthanasia but it differs from any of his previous films in that this is his first made in the English language adapted from siget nunes's novel what are you going through the film follows two women played by Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore Swinton portrays a woman choosing to end her life on her terms while Moore's character her longtime friend wrestles with the emotional toll of supporting such a decision the film doesn't force a stoic view of death Al motivar invites viewers not just to witness just the philosophical debate around assisted suicide but to experience the full spectrum of intimate messy emotions that come with facing the end of life fear anxiety regret and grief .o what inspired alodar to take on such a sensitive and controversial topic as euthanasia at the film festival the director explained the film was a medium to communicate his firm belief that euthanasia should be available all over the world euthanasia has been legal in Spain since 2021 under a new law which allows adults with serious and incurable diseases that cause unbearable suffering to choose to end their lives Al motivar told journalists it should be possible to have all over the world it should be regulated the opinion of the doctor should suffice debates around legalizing assisted suicide remain contentious in the UK illustrated by the high-profile case of Noel Conway who suffered from motor neuron disease and took his campaign for the right to the Supreme Court in 2018 he campaigned for a doctor to be allowed to prescribe a lethal dose when his health deteriorated but the current law means any Doctor Who did so risk 14 years in prison he brought a legal challenge against the ban to the Supreme Court in 2018 but lost the appeal and died at home in 2021