Tour de Force

A group of friends embark on their annual cycling trip and discover that the destination isn't what they were expecting.

Hannes picks Ostend in Belgium as the goal for the trip. While on the way, he reveals that he has tested positive for ALS and intends to end his life there, as Belgium is one of the European countries that supports assisted suicide. While the group has to confront the reality of letting go, it's also about celebrating friendships.

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, there are a number of films this year that deal with characters faced with the decision of when (and how) to end one's life. "Tour de Force", aided by its very good ensemble cast, treats the subject with sensitivity. There is laughter (and a lot of tears) that never descends into mawkishness. Of the films I've seen so far this year, it's the one that has provided the greatest emotional impact.

The screening I attended included an extended Q&A with the director and Robert Austin from the Munk School at UofT, which used the film to enter into a larger discussion on assisted suicide or "therapeutic homicide", as it has been termed in Canada). It was part of a program that TIFF introduced a few years ago and is one of the added benefits of going to the festival.

With the growing debate about assisted suicide in Canada and elsewhere, the film is a thought-provoking voice in that discussion.