Zurich (2014) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A young woman with cystic fibrosis pursues assisted euthanasia in Switzerland while facing her family's reactions and forming a friendship with another applicant.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Life Shaped by Illness

Lea's cystic fibrosis makes even ordinary tasks difficult and leaves her afraid of suffocation. Her brother's death from the same disease forms part of her family history as she decides to die on her 23rd birthday.

Key Events

• Living with Cystic Fibrosis — Lea lives with severe cystic fibrosis and fears suffocation during ordinary activities. Characters: Lea Location: Lea's home
• A Brother Lost to Illness — Lea's older brother died after a lung transplant following the same disease. Characters: Lea Location: Family history
• Lea Chooses Her Birthday — Lea decides she wants to die at noon on her 23rd birthday. Characters: Lea Location: Lea's home
• Journey to Zurich — Because assisted euthanasia is illegal in Germany, Lea travels to Switzerland without telling her family. Characters: Lea Location: Zurich

Seeking a Swiss Procedure

Lea travels to Zurich without informing her family and is taken to a doctor by Michaela Orff. After assessing Lea's poor health, Dr. Seydlitz prescribes a controlled substance.

Key Events

• Michaela Meets Lea — Michaela Orff picks Lea up from the hostel as an employee of the assisted-euthanasia organisation. Characters: Lea, Michaela Orff Location: Hostel
• Medical Assessment — Dr. Seydlitz is convinced of Lea's poor health and prescribes a controlled substance. Characters: Lea, Michaela Orff, Dr. Joseph Seydlitz Location: Dr. Seydlitz's office

Family and Friendship

Lea tells her family about her plan, shocking Maria and Rita before they accept her decision. At the hostel, she befriends Moritz, whose own euthanasia application was rejected, and they go boating together.

Key Events

• Family Learns Her Plan — Lea messages her family, then tells them she intends to die; Maria and Rita are shocked. Characters: Lea, Maria, Rita Location: Zurich
• Family Reacts to Lea — Maria and Rita ultimately accept Lea's decision after hearing her explain her motives. Characters: Lea, Maria, Rita Location: Zurich
• Meeting Moritz — Lea meets Moritz, who has severe depression and whose euthanasia application was rejected. Characters: Lea, Moritz Location: Hostel
• Boating on Lake Zurich — Lea and Moritz become friends and go boating together. Characters: Lea, Moritz Location: Lake Zurich

Birthday Before the End

Lea shares a pleasant restaurant meal with her family and marks midnight as her birthday. Once back at the hostel, she suffers a painful coughing fit and struggles to breathe.

Key Events

• A Last Schnitzel — The family shares a pleasant meal at Lea's request and celebrates her birthday at midnight. Characters: Lea, Maria, Rita Location: Restaurant
• Breathless Night — After returning from the restaurant, Lea has a painful coughing fit and gasps desperately for air. Characters: Lea Location: Hostel

The Final Decision

At the organisation, Michaela reminds Lea that she can cancel, but Lea takes the antiemetic. After a panic attack and a moment before a mirror, she continues with her plan and drinks the hypnotic in the presence of her family and Michaela.

Key Events

• The Option to Cancel — Michaela tells Lea she can cancel; Lea takes the antiemetic that prevents vomiting. Characters: Lea, Michaela Orff, Maria, Rita Location: Assisted-euthanasia organisation
• Decision in the Mirror — A panic attack sends Lea to the bathroom, where her reflection prompts her to continue with her plan. Characters: Lea Location: Bathroom
• Lea Drinks the Hypnotic — With her family and Michaela beside her, Lea drinks the hypnotic and falls asleep in her mother's arms. Characters: Lea, Michaela Orff, Maria, Rita Location: Nearby playground

Story Breakdown

• Illness and Decision — Lea's worsening struggle with cystic fibrosis and her family history inform her decision to die on her 23rd birthday.
  • Daily Breathing Struggle — Lea relies on an oxygen concentrator and finds ordinary tasks difficult because of her illness.
  • Birthday Plan — Lea chooses to die at noon on her 23rd birthday.
• Journey to Zurich — Unable to pursue assisted euthanasia in Germany, Lea travels to Switzerland without telling her family.
  • Unannounced Departure — Lea travels to Zurich without informing her family.
  • Hostel Arrival — Lea stays at a hostel where Michaela Orff picks her up.
• Medical Approval — Michaela takes Lea to Dr. Seydlitz, who assesses her health and prescribes a controlled substance.
  • Doctor Visit — Dr. Seydlitz meets with Lea after Michaela brings her to him.
  • Prescription Given — Convinced of the severity of Lea's poor health, the doctor prescribes a controlled substance.
• Family Disclosure — Lea tells her family of her plan, prompting shock and then acceptance from Maria and Rita.
  • Messages to Family — Lea sends text messages to her family members before they arrive.
  • Acceptance of Choice — Maria and Rita are shocked but ultimately accept Lea's decision.
• Friendship with Moritz — Lea meets another applicant at the hostel and develops a friendship with him.
  • Rejected Application — Moritz has severe depression and was rejected when he applied for euthanasia.
  • Lake Zurich Outing — Lea and Moritz go boating together on Lake Zurich.
• Birthday Gathering — Lea shares a final meal with her family, followed by a severe coughing fit after they return to the hostel.
  • Last Schnitzel — The family has a pleasant restaurant meal at Lea's request.
  • Midnight Celebration — The family clinks glasses at midnight to celebrate Lea's birthday.
• Final Confirmation — Lea is offered the chance to cancel, experiences panic, and then decides to continue.
  • Chance to Cancel — Michaela tells Lea she can still cancel, and Lea takes the antiemetic.
  • Mirror Decision — After a panic attack, Lea sees her reflection and decides to finish what she started.
• Final Procedure — Lea is accompanied by her family and Michaela to a nearby playground, where she drinks the hypnotic.
  • Playground Vigil — Lea's family and Michaela accompany her to the nearby playground.
  • Lea Falls Asleep — Lea drinks the overdosed hypnotic and falls asleep in her mother's arms.

Directed by

Frederik Steiner

Key Cast

• Liv Lisa Fries — Lea
• Lena Stolze — Hannah
• Sophie Rogall — Rita
• Max Hegewald — Moritz
• Bibiana Beglau — Michaela Orff