Thesis defence: Rocío Montuenga Ríos
On October 25th, doctoral candidate Rocío Montuenga presented her doctoral thesis titled “The End of Life in Contemporary Cinema: A Thematic Analysis”, supervised by Dr. Alfonso Méndiz Noguero and Dr. Cristina Monforte Royo.
The thesis analyzes how cinema has represented the end of life over the past thirty years, addressing concepts such as terminal illness, care, companionship, the stages of grief, pain management, suffering, and the desire to live and to die. Through a thematic analysis of ten films selected for their critical and healthcare relevance (Shadowlands, Marvin’s Room, Wit, The Barbarian Invasions, The Sea Inside, Million Dollar Baby, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Maktub, Amour, Still Alice), it examines perspectives ranging from humanistic care in an end-of-life context to the “desire to die” as a response to complex and multidimensional suffering. While some films have influenced social debates on assisted suicide and euthanasia, others propose hopeful alternatives that highlight the value of companionship in alleviating suffering and dying peacefully. The thesis provides a holistic perspective on the end of life in contemporary cinema, exploring how the seventh art influences the social and collective imagination by shaping attitudes, behaviors, and ideas.
Congratulations Rocío!
