Pico Iyer , a British-born novelist , essayist , and travel writer , also makes an appearance in the documentary . He regularly contributes to '' Time '' , '' National Geographic '' , and the '' New York Times '' on various subjects . Iyer is a close friend of the director and is , Wexler claims , " the sanest person I know . " He turns the camera on Wexler , asking the director to examine his own hopes and intentions for making the documentary . He asserts that like the ending of books and films , " death makes sense of everything that comes before it . " The documentary , contrary to its title , is not a how-to guide to eternal life . Rather , it is an examination of different philosophies and perspectives on life , offering viewers a glimpse into the science and commercialism in fields like funeral planning , cryonics , and anti-aging practices . Meanwhile , the film challenges viewers to examine their own notions of whether to combat or accept the inevitability of aging ; it is this dilemma that drives Wexler ’s search both around the world and within himself , asking the question , " If you could take a pill to live 500 more years , would you ? " '' How to Live Forever '' premiered at the 17th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival in 2009 . It was also screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January 2011 and the Gasparilla International Film Festival in March 2011
Hamptons International Film Festival
Hamptons International Film Festival
How to Live Forever