The emotional Man on Earth documentary premiers at Sheffield DocFest

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The intimate, feature-length documentary Man on Earth premiered in the International Competition at Sheffield DocFest on June 26th. By the acclaimed Australian filmmaker Amiel Courtin-Wilson, the documentary follows one man’s choice of voluntary assisted death.

Filmed in Washington State in 2019, the Flood Projects documentary follows 65-year old New Yorker Bob. After suffering from Parkinsons, Man on Earth follows Bob and his family as they come to terms with Bob’s decides to utilise the Death with Dignity Law to end his own life. This deeply emotional film captures the last week of Bob’s life through real-time observational documentary style and raw straight-to-camera interviews.

Through Bob and his family’s own point of view of the most personal moment of their life, Amiel Courtin-Wilson offers a powerfully honest depiction of voluntary death in a rollercoster of emotions ending with the heart-breaking recording of Bob’s death.

Man on Earth marks the fourth feature-length documentary by Cannes,Venice and Sundance awarded Amiel and is co-produced by Alice Jamieson-Dowd.

Discussing the film’s premier, director and producer Amiel said: “We were honoured to be a part of Sheffield DocFest's prestigious Official Competition this year. A story of what it means to face death with humour, joy and love and inspired in part by Werner Herzog's idea that filmmakers must strive to create new types of images, Man on Earth is a profound celebration of life - a funny, intimate story about an unforgettable human being Bob Rosenzweig.

Amiel is not the only award-winner attached to Man on Earth. The documentary includes a musical score by Oscar-winning Nicolas Becke (Arrival,Gravity), sound design by Oscar winner Robert Mackenzie (Hacksaw Ridge, The Grandmaster) and editing by Oscar nominee Peter Sciberras (The Power Of The Dog, The King).

For the official selection, visit https://sheffdocfest.com/film/man-earth