To know or not to know? Lillian weighs the costs of a life-changing genetic test

Lillian Hanly, a television producer and filmmaker in New Zealand, has a 50 per cent chance of testing positive for Huntington’s disease. It’s a hereditary condition that gradually erodes physical and cognitive functions, and often cuts lives short by decades. Her documentary – part of the filmmaking initiative Loading Docs’ 2021 short film collection – charts Hanly’s deliberations about getting tested (or not) and shares her touching conversations with family members who have faced the same decision. More than just a medical or family story, Hanly’s film is a meaningful exploration of what it means to live with the certainty of death amid the many uncertainties of life.