Edge of Life

Director Lynette Wallworth follows medical researchers studying the effects of psychedelic medications on patients nearing end-of-life.

As part of a medical study, two doctors working across psychology and palliative care are examining the effects of the psychedelic drug psilocybin on participants nearing death. The initial results are striking: not only are patients more relaxed and accepting of their deaths, but they also appear intrigued, inquisitive and almost excited by the prospect of their lives, as they know them, ending.

Acknowledging the shortfall of Western medicine in even communicating participants' experiences in the study, the doctors embark on a profound personal journey halfway around the world to Brazil to push their boundaries and learn more.

Curator’s note
In 2019, Lynette Wallworth unveiled a new VR work at ACMI named Awavena, which saw the artist collaborating with Tashka Yawanawá, chief of the Yawanawá people in Acre, Brazil. Celebrated everywhere it was presented, Awavena went on to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary Program, and outstanding it was.

Edge of Life now sees the pair reunite for a documentary feature that is both a return, a continuation and an expansion of Awavena into new and fascinating terrain. The result is a film that balances spirituality with rationalism, shamanism with Western medicine and documentary filmmaking with Lynette Wallworth’s artistic practice, all to thought‑provoking and visually striking effect.