Can I Get a Witness?

Successfully vanquishing global ills like environmental degradation, economic inequality, insufficient health care and armed conflict in order to purposely create an earthly paradise is undeniably an ambitious and virtuous goal. And, thanks to the adoption of the principles outlined in the Universal Constitution of Human Rights and Responsibilities, the world of the near future has managed to make this dream a reality. Humanity’s deliberate abandonment of its suffocatingly toxic ways and their devastating impact on the planet has enabled the establishment of an existence based on fairness, equality, sustainability and the guaranteed fulfillment of basic needs. But there’s a trade-off for this new way of life – individuals must willingly agree to live only to age 50, at which time they undergo an EoL (End of Life) ceremony of their choosing. It’s a rite of passage that evokes mixed reactions: many might seem reconciled to it outwardly, but is that how they truly feel about it on the inside? Indeed, is turning in one’s life while still in its prime an acceptably conscionable practice? On top of this, to ensure compliance with this universally sanctioned policy, authorities have established official protocols for transitioning individuals to follow, including agreeing to the presence of designated EoL witnesses to artistically document their passage, a type of work similar to that of courtroom sketch artists. But is the establishment of such a seemingly utopian reality ultimately worth it given the cost involved? One might argue that social dogma like the kind depicted here is simply too high a price to pay for what amounts to a truncated life in exchange for a few years of idyllic bliss. As a result, competing themes related to social stewardship and personal sovereignty come into discreet conflict. These notions are primarily explored through the experiences of a talented and sensitive apprentice EoL documenter, Kiah (Keira Jang), who’s learning the ropes of her job...