The Self-Made Man

The Self-Made Man

  • Overview
  • Cast
  • Crew

Status

Released

Release Date

Mar 14, 2005

Runtime

0h 58m

Genres

Documentary

Original Title

The Self-Made Man

Production Companies

Bernal Beach Films, PBS

Director

Susan Stern

Description

Is it ever rational to choose death? On Independence Day at Stern Ranch, 77-year-old solar energy pioneer Bob Stern finds out he’s seriously ill – possibly dying. Meanwhile, an elderly in-law is dying on artificial life support. Bob decides to cheat that fate and take his own life. His family tries to stop him. Bob sets up a video camera. Daughter Susan Stern explores “rational suicide,” the “right-to-die” and the difficult end-of-life choices faced by an aging population.