The filmmaker Carmen Pollard discusses her Knowledge Network Original film For Dear Life, a documentary about James Pollard’s final years as he’s diagnosed with terminal cancer, and how he plans for his death and burial, with Joseph Planta. The film airs Tuedsay, 06 March 2018 at 9pm on the Knowledge Network.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

One of the more moving documentaries that you’ll see has its broadcast premiere Tuesday, 06 March 2018 on the Knowledge Network. It is a Knowledge Network Original. The title is For Dear Life, and the filmmaker Carmen Pollard joins me now. She films the final years and days of James Pollard, her cousin as he’s diagnosed with cancer, how he chooses to live to the end of his life, and how he prepares for the future ahead. The film premiered last year at the DOXA Documentary Film Festival, and had three sold-out screenings. It’s gone on to other festivals, to great acclaim. James Pollard was a theatre producer and he orchestrated his death the way he lived. It’s moving. You meet James’s family, his kids Emma and Desmond, his partner Dr. Hayley Broker, his dad John, and Dr. Paul Sugar, who runs a palliative care practice. He’s remarkable figure. Carmen Pollard is a writer, director, an editor and visual effects artist. For Dear Life is her feature length directorial debut. She has been nominated for an Emmy, Gemini, and several Leo’s, including an award for best editing on Dirt. She was an editor on Ninth Floor. The film will be available on Knowledge’s website, www.knowledge.ca for streaming after its television debut 06 March 2018. The website for more is at www.fordearlife.ca. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Carmen Pollard; Ms. Pollard, good morning.

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