The award-winning documentary Left on Purpose chronicles the life of Mayer Vishner, an aging 1960’s radical anti-war activist and one of the original members of Abbie Hoffman’s Yippie movement. 

 

Midway through filming, Vishner (whose debilitating alcoholism and chronic major depression feature prominently in his story) declares that his last “political act” will be to take his own life – and insists that he wants director Justin Schein to capture it on camera. 

 

Rethink The Conversation™ advised Schein as he considered the implications of portraying the full humanity, authenticity, and complexity of Vishner’s story.

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