Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside)

Title: Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside)
Released: 2004

This film is the true story of Ramón Sampedro, a quadriplegic who fights against the Spanish government for the right to die with dignity after 28 years of paralysis. Mar adentro explores several of Ramón's relationships, including that with his family: his sister and brother-in-law who take care of Ramón but don't support his will to die and his nephew who comes up with inventions to help make Ramón's life easier. The film also develops his relationships with three women in his life: his friend Géne, the political activist who helps Ramón with his cause; Ramón's lawyer Julia, who suffers from a degenerative disease and who perhaps can identify most with Ramón's campaign; and Rosa, a local woman who decides to make her cause giving Ramón the will to live. Though ultimately a story of the right to die, the film is touching, at times comical, and wonderfully done.