Hanne Bess Boelsbjerg

This project delves into the experience of death and dying within a contemplative community in Denmark, exploring the convergence of Tibetan Buddhist-inspired understandings with medical and legal procedures of resuscitation. Through visual anthropological and collaborative research, the film aims to shed light on the complexities of death awareness cultivated through spiritual practices and the navigation of the dying process. Drawing on interviews, reflections, and interactions within the community, the film captures both individual and collective responses to mortality, emphasizing the relational aspect of meaning-making. By integrating approaches from sensory ethnography and narrative medicine, the film offers a holistic view of death, addressing existential questions while engaging viewers on an emotional and sensory level. Collaboration with co-researchers from the community ensures an authentic portrayal of their experiences and promotes cross-cultural dialogue on death and spirituality. Through screenings at academic conferences, film festivals, and community events, the project seeks to stimulate public discourse and contribute to academic debates on death and dying in contemporary society.