Sunday, August 5, 2007

Disturbing Documentary "THE BRIDGE"





















A new documentary, BRIDGE, chronicles the last actions of six people as they jump from the Golden Gate bridge to their deaths in the sprawling San Francisco bay.

Eric Steel, the filmmaker, took advantage of the low cost of digital video and aimed cameras at the bridge every day for a year in 2004. During that over two dozen people jumped, a not uncommon number. He then interviewed people who knew the deceased, asking them what might have been going through these people’s minds.

There’s a lot to dislike about this documentary. Especially if you are San Francisco. The city isn’t too fond of people pointing out the popularity of the Golden Gate bridge for suicides. Also Steel got the permits under the pretense that he was doing a nature documentary.

PR aside, it’s an awfully creepy endeavor. It’s true that Steel couldn’t have stopped these people (he called police whenever it was obvious that someone was going to jump, so he may have saved a few lives) but at the same time he’s clearly profiting from the extreme misery of his subjects. Yes, it’s good to look at mental illness; but you can do that without the spectacle of real bridge suicides! You see pieces about sex addicts on The Learning Channel sometimes, but they manage to tell the story without amateur porn footage.

I guess what bothers me the most is that these people weren’t in a position to sign releases. Suicide may be the most private thing a person can do. I’m going to feel awful when I see this movie, and you bet I’m going to see it. And I’ll hate myself for it.

Please watch a small clip above!!!

5 comments:

Chris said...

i'd feel odd watching that movie i think.

linda said...

I have seen this and it was rather disturbing. The trouble was, once I started watching it, I had to continue (cannot explain why)so I could have some closure at the end of it. When it was reviewed in the newspaper it really did not give a good enough warning about the content - sort of brushed over just how poignant and sad the whole thing was. I felt like a voyeur - human beings are so fragile really. Linda

Anonymous said...

I hate to admit it but i will look out for this documentary. You're right, it is a private matter and he's not respecting that. Don't the relatives of the deceased know about this documentary? I'll have to see it before i make anymore judgement. Brilliant post though!
By the way, like the new template.

Simon said...

I have been looking forward to this documentary. I heard a lot of good things about it.

Invite the Party said...

It sounds interesting but wrong. It's like a car crash that you can't look away.