JACK HAS A PLAN Movie Premiere and 'Death over Drafts' Event
"As joyous, thrilling and funny as any film about death could be." (San Francisco Examiner)
"If dying is an art, Jack Tuller is practically Picasso." (Rotten Tomatoes)
Purchase tickets for the film screening as part of the 2022 Dances with Films-LA Festival held at iconic TCL Chinese Theater.
Screening starts at 2:30 pm. Directly followed by a Death over Drafts Event at the Japan House Salon, a three minute walk from TCL Chinese 6 Theater.
After the movie, join us for an intimate and engaging gathering sponsored by Empowered Endings and The Aid in Dying Foundation with leaders in the end-of life movement:
- Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Uslander, Founders of Empowered Endings
- Stefanie Elkins, End-of-Life Doula, Be Present Care
- Torrie Fields, Advanced and Palliative Care Advocate
- Helene Starks, Bioethicist, University of Washington
- Bradley Berman, Director, JACK HAS A PLAN
- And other thought leaders.
Drinks and light bites will be served.
Whether you're an end-of-life clinician, a caregiver to a loved one, a death literacy advocate, or just curious about an artistic expression of one man's end-of-life journey, this event is for you.
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About The Film:
The 2022 Dances With Films festival presents the SoCal premiere of JACK HAS A PLAN. The film, produced over six years, was inspired by Jack Tuller’s keen desire to document and share his end-of-life story. Jack wanted to remove the taboos associated with discussions about death and dying—and to create the most honest and uplifting case study about how to approach our final days with honesty, openness, and gratitude.
The movie starts by providing the context of Jack’s career as a budding San Francisco musician. It reveals how his course was forever altered in 1994 when he was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and given six months to live. JACK HAS A PLAN tells the story of the following 25 years.
At 55, Jack can no longer work and loses the wherewithal for creativity. So, he enlists his close friend, filmmaker Bradley Berman, to document his condition. Jack’s predicament propels him on a quest to make amends with his mother, who he has not seen since before his first diagnosis. Rebuffed by his mom, Jack goes on a journey to find the biological father he never knew. Then, as Jack’s condition worsens, he decides to throw a going-away party and exit life’s stage. But not if his closest friends have anything to say about it.
JACK HAS A PLAN is a revelation. The film is both intimate and moving, as the filmmaker and the subject weigh the implications and questions that arise from seeing Jack's “project” to its natural conclusion. The uplifting and funny story invites viewers to reflect on life’s most universal topic.
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About the Event
The Death over Drafts Event directly following the film will take place in the Salon at Japan House, an innovative event space and restaurant around the corner from TCL Chinese Theater. It is on the 5th floor of the Ovation Hollywood.
Stefanie Elkins, Be Present Care, will be co-hosting this gathering to bring together leaders and seekers in the end of life space to process the film, engage on end of life issues, and, most importantly, have fun.
Empowered Endings and the Aid in Dying Foundation have graciously agreed to sponsor this event.
Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Uslander founded Empowered Endings and the Aid in Dying Foundation to share the wisdom of their experience empowering End of Life journeys, and to shift the paradigms of End of Life care.
Combining Dr. Bob’s experience in emergency medicine, palliative, and hospice care with Elizabeth’s expertise in grief, end of life, family dynamics and spirituality– they have guided and cared for hundreds of patients and families in their Empowered End of Life Experiences.
They share a passion for honoring dignity and choice in life and death, which serves as the foundation for all of their work.
Suggested Parking/ Directions:
Both the film screening and the after event are in the Ovation Hollywood.
Parking Garage
Enter the underground parking garage from Highland Ave. in front of Loews Hollywood or on Orange Court between Hollywood Blvd. and Franklin Ave.
Parking Rates:
$2.00 every 20 minutes; $6.00 every hour
Daily Maximum of $20.00
Enjoy up to 2 hours for $3 with validation by participating shops and restaurants.
Enjoy up to 4 hours for $3 with validation from the TCL Chinese Theatre and the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres.
Regular parking rate applies thereafter.