Why do ethical conflicts of medicine rouse so much interest in films? How do films reflect the most common bioethical problems? The Insituto de Ética Clínca Francisco Vallés – Universidad Europea, in collaboration with the Esteve Foundation and the Fundación Tejerina, organized the Film and Bioethics Cycle, held at the Cineteca of the Matadero de Madrid from16 to 19 June 2015.
Coordinated by Benjamín Herreros and María Jesús Pascual, the cycle is aimed at watching films and reflecting on bioethics. To do this, various subjects were analysed, with which film-makers have transferred ethical problems of medicine to the big screen, and with specialists in different areas. For example, the first session looked into ethical aspects of Almodóvar films, with the projection of The skin I live in and the presence of the producer Agustín Almodóvar, the writer Lucía Etxebarría and the doctor and screenwriter Carlos Mur.
Sexuality in films, the sustainability of a public and universal health system, and the ability and skill in decision making are the three other topics that also discussed, through the projection of a film and various conferences and debates. In this way, attendants had the opportunity to discuss directly with film professionals and specialists, as debate and audience participation were encouraged during the four sessions.
PROGRAMME
16 June
Aspectos éticos del cine de Almodóvar
– Ethics in “Almodóvar films?
Presentation:Benjamín Herreros
Speaker:Alberto Herreros, playwright
– Projection of the film The skin I live in
– Analysis and discussion:
Agustín Almodóvar, film producer
Lucía Etxebarría, writer
Carlos Mur, doctor and screenwriter
17 June
Sexualidad y cine: Jaime de Armiñán, un visionario
– Why was Jaime de Armiñán a visionary?
Presentation:Benjamín Herreros
Speaker:Enrique Vivas, collaborator and critic of RNE
– Projection of the film My dearest señorita
– Analysis and discussion:
Jaime de Armiñán, film director and writer
María Jesús Pascual, Madrid Salud
Carlos Mur
18 June
¿Es sostenible un sistema sanitario público y universal?
– Justice and health
Presentation: Benjamín Herreros
Speaker:Javier Arcos, médico y director de cine
– Projection of the film Cuanto ganamos, cuanto perdimos
– Analysis and discussion:
Javier Sábada, professor of ethics, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Lucía Etxebarría, writer
19 June
Capacidad y competencia en la toma de decisiones a través del cine
– How do we make decisions?
Presentation:Benjamín Herreros
Speaker:Carlos Mur
– Projection of the film Still Alice
– Analysis and discussion:
Javier Urra, lecturer of ethics, Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Eduardo Torres-Dulce, attorney and film critic
Enrique Vivas
– Closing of the Cycle. Film music
Contraste guitar duo
