The Final Chapter of Jackie the Wolf @Hot Docs 2023

There comes a chapter in everyone’s life where they have to deal with the death of their parents. It’s not the prettiest of chapters but some of the hardest conversations need to be had. Many of us when we hit that certain age where we no longer feel relative but yet a burden to our closest is when we consider ourselves old. For some, there is no need to have cancer or disease to sign yourself out of this journey called life. There are quite a few who feel that there is no need to live past a certain age even though there is no sign of a terminal illness.

This holds for director Tuki Jencquel who films his mother who is an author and an end-of-life activist Jackie Jencquel in the last chapter of her life. Jackie the Wolf is a documentary film that focuses on the last chapter of her life which she wants to write on her own. In her wish to wave the world goodbye, Jackie Jencquel provides multiple reasons as to why she wants to leave. At the age of 74, Jackie has been through it all when it comes to family, love, money, vanity and power. But this all boils back down to the issue of a woman having the right to decide on her body throughout her life. No doubt we are struggling with that today.

Above the law?

Director Tuki Jencquel’s path in making this film over 5 years is quite courageous. It puts light on a dark subject and grabs hold of the reality of dealing with death in the family. This variation of it where someone is choosing to call it quits on life is more complex than one who is experiencing a life-threatening illness. It becomes very political. While she challenges the French law of having the right to die, she is gaining the support of those who wish to do the same. As selfish as it may sound, especially at the tender age that she is, it is probably rather relieving for someone like Jackie to not have to wake up every morning to think about it.

Jackie the Wolf is a charming documentary that has notes and tones of a Wes Anderson dark comedy because of the film’s attributes and dialogue. This character study of Jackie Jencquel is amusing because there is no real opposition to her thoughts about wanting to die. It is not absurd rather it is going to be a common thing in the not-too-distant future where the stress of living life is not worth it. Sadly, she does not feel as beautiful as she once did when she was raising Tuki and the rest of her family. But her confidence in wanting this to happen is nothing you have seen before documented in the film. Jackie the Wolf is a must-see and she is not hiding under a sheep’s clothing.

FERNTV speaks to director Tuki Jencquel about his film Jackie the Wolf during Hot Docs 2023.