‘Sit With Me While I Die’: Special Film Screening and Conversation

Event Details

Director Brian Russell and star James Naughton will be on hand in the Library’s Trefz Forum for a special screening of their new short film, Sit With Me While I Die, about a priest (played by Naughton) reconciling his views on suffering and death.

The event will begin with a screening of the 19-minute film, followed by a conversation with Russell, Naughton, and additional guests. They will discuss the making of the film and the state of medical aid in dying in Connecticut. There will also be time for Q&A with the audience.

Why You Should Come

To watch this riveting film and a star turn from Naughton, who has won Tony Awards (for City of Angels and Chicago) and has appeared in a long list of films including The Devil Wears Prada, The First Wives Club, Cat's Eye, and The Glass Menagerie. Then stay for the important conversation to follow.

About the Film

A priest must reconcile his lifelong dogmatic views on suffering with real life pain, examining how we will die, the intersection of faith and death, and specifically with how we may, or may not, be called to suffer at the inevitable end. Set against the backdrop of medical aid in dying, and death with dignity.

Click here to watch the trailer for the film.

Director’s Statement (from director Brian Russell)

This film examines how we will die, and the intersection of faith and death, specifically with how we may, or may not, be called to suffer at the inevitable end. Our culture does not reconcile with death, even though it is inevitable, and even when it is imminent. My goal in this film is to generally talk about death, but specifically to talk about our right to determine how and when we die when life is near the end. This story came out of a conversation actor James Naughton and I had on the anniversary of his wife's death. She had fought pancreatic cancer for four years, and he was passionate about giving people options when they'd suffered too long. Eleven states and Washington, D.C., have Medical Aid and Dying legislation allowing people to determine their own time of transition. This film explores the journey when someone does not have that option.