August 27, 2007
SFist Watches: The Bridge
We've talked about the controversial documentary The Bridge here on SFist before, but for those who couldn't bring themselves to see the film in a theater, you've got your chance for a cozy TV viewing on IFC tonight at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. At least at home you can cover your eyes and scream "OH MY GOD!" without bothering a theater full of people.
We watched the movie on DVD recently, and that was the reaction we had during more than one scene. We also shed a few tears. The movie isn't for the faint of heart, but it's not a snuff film either; there isn't as much footage of jumpers as one would fear (or hope for, depending on how you feel about these things), so what images are shown are shocking every time. Instead, the majority of the movie is focused on interviews with the families and friends of some of the people who chose to end their lives at the Golden Gate Bridge in 2004 (as well as an interview with a young man who survived a jump a few years earlier). Understanding why people choose to end their lives--and why they choose to do it on the Bridge--is the goal of the film, but those are questions that aren't really that hard to answer. Mental illness and/or severe depression play a factor in all the suicides discussed in the film and, well...the Golden Gate Bridge is a beautiful place to end it all. So, ultimately, the movie becomes an exercise in dread. Dreading the inevitable sight of these people jumping...and knowing someone else will probably do the very same thing some time this month.
Ironically, the issue of a suicide barrier, which was the topic of Tad Friend's New Yorker article "Jumpers," which was the inspiration for the documentary, isn't really mentioned in the film at all. And it's an issue that is, apparently, after 70 years of Bridge suicides, still being studied...
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I watched with trepidation but was surprised with the films compassion, friends and relatives only wishing the best for the victims.
What struck me most is The Bridge itself, photographed from every conceivable angle and view point.... probed, the bridge is asking why,why me, why here?
Think of the stark contrasts to other recent docu's that deal with death..... Gunner Palace and The War Tapes...
I walked across it 2 weeks ago and I got paranoid that anyone looking over the edge was gonna jump. That movie has made The Great Gate dark to me now.
I found this movie so sadly beautiful. But one thing always stuck in my mind, so much so that I watched the bonus featurette in hopes they would address it: Obviously the families they interviewed were ok with making of the film, but how did they react to knowing there was footage of their loved ones ending their lives?
One of my friends works at the bridge and honestly tells me once a week when there are jumpers. They never make the news because it's documented that when they do put them in the news, the rate of jumpers goes up.
Anyways... I saw the film. I would have liked to know more about the history of the suicides and less of the talking head documentary couldve shouldve style.
Suicide is an impetuous act – or the act of an ill person lacking the capacity to make a sane decision. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Limiting access to the means of death has proved to dramatically reduce suicides 98% of those stopped never attempt suicide again not just at the Golden Gate but in every instance.
The rails at the Golden Gate Bridge are simply too low and access is too great.
Four people try to die there every week...
and one succeeds meeting a most horrible death.
But as the "Bridge" shows true victims are the loved ones left behind many of which carry terrible emotional scars the rest of their lives...tragically blaming themselves - often trying to also kill themselves out of guilt.
San Franciscans and the people of the Bay Area
are now well aware of the horror taking place almost daily at the Golden Gate and as such have a moral obligation to do something to help end the deaths at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Since 1937 we have been kept in the dark but now via the Internet the facts surrounding death at the Golden Gate Bridge are finally seeing the light of day.
You can help stop the carnage - you can help raise
public awareness you can help raise the rails
For more information see
http://www.bridgerail.org
Thank you
This movie was so boring!
I realize that I may be in the minority, but I took issue with the tactics of the filmaker. It is my understanding that he interviewed families before telling them that he had footage of their loved ones plunging to their deaths.
Apparently, all the families still agreed to participate, and did not take issue with this. I, on the other hand, boycotted the film as a result.
I found his tactics to be manipulative and vulgar. One could validly argue that since I did not see the film, I have no right to comment. Still, I stand by my decision. I think the filmaker is an oppurtunist.
to the "guest"
With all due respect.
I am a "family member" - I was interviewed - I was completely informed, moreover Mr. Steele and his crew very carefully explained to me what they were doing and how they did it.
I am sorry that you think him to be manipulative - or opportunist. I must tell you that I think he is a hero, the first person having the courage to speak openly regarding the Golden Gate and San Francisco's deadliest secret.
I should also add that I know a number of other "family members" that appear in the film and I assure you that they too were fully informed.
Finally, no family member received any compensation for participation in the film except the knowledge that finally the horror taking place there would see the light of day.
All we can hope is that by putting the truth into the court of public opinion something will finally be done to end the deaths caused by the incredibly low railing at the Bridge.
Almost once a week someone dies at the Bridge...
please help stop this horror