Hispanophiles Podcast

The Mercy Killing That Won An Oscar

Hispanophiles Season 2 Episode 14

Paralysed for 3 decades, Ramón Sampedro was the first ever Spaniard to petition the government for the right to end his own life with dignity. When the courts denied his request, he took matters into his own hands and formulated a cunning plan. Not only was he immortalised in the film Mar Adentro that went on to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Film the following year, Sampedro's story changed the debate in Spain that ultimately resulted in a law changes in 2021. Many thanks for listening!