ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
VANISHING: A LOVE STORY is about award-winning novelist Cai Emmons and her loving, open-hearted journey towards death. As she struggles to “do it right” and on her own terms, she creates powerful and lasting reminders that she was here.

SYNOPSIS
VANISHING: A LOVE STORY takes place during the last six-months of 71 year-old Cai Emmons’ life. Early in February of 2021, after more than 6 months of persistent inquiry, she receives a diagnosis of Bulbar-onset ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis better known as Lou Gerhig’s Disease). Ironically, during this time, Cai experiences the greatest successes of her professional career, selling two novels to two different publishers, on the same day.

When we first meet Cai in the film, the destination of her journey seems far away, despite grim statistics. Her ALS feels chronic, even manageable. And Cai approaches all the indignities of her illness with a detached curiosity: chatting with nurses and other patients about ports, lung capacity, muscle strength, tube feeding, tracheotomies and Death with Dignity.

But shortly after a blow-out celebration for the publications of her books, Cai begins a physical free-fall decline.

She throws herself into preparing her friends and family for her death. She does a guided psilocybin trip hoping to gain emotional clarity. She researches the Death with Dignity requirements in Oregon. This brings up unexpected challenges, she must be able to self-administer, and she must have a terminal diagnosis that will her disease will, more than likely, lead to her death within six months. It’s a diagnosis her doctor is hesitant to give, and Cai worries she will lose her opportunity to plan how she dies.

VANISHING: A LOVE STORY is, first and foremost, a film about the agency of expression—having a voice to create a legacy in the world. End-of life decisions, self-determination and personal agency are the major topics and themes of the film, in a cultural climate that shies away from them.

PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

DIRECTOR Sandra Luckow
PRODUCER Sandra Luckow, Kat Vecchio
associate producer Paul Calandrino

WEBSITE vanishingalovestory.com
FACEBOOK Facebook Page

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