In the USA today suicide is far more common than homicide with someone taking their own life every eighteen minutes and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge confirmed as the most popular suicide destination in the world. Inspired by an article written by Tad Friend of the New Yorker entitled 'The Fatal Grandeur of the Golden Gate Bridge'. Eric Steel's Documentary encapsulates the combination of suffering and the search for release of those desperate enough to find themselves on the precipice of The Bridge in 2004. Exploring at the most personal and revealing levels what... drove them to this most final of decisions The Bridge is certain to reignite the issues of the suicide barrier at the Golden Gate Bridge and to open a much needed debate on mental health care and suicide prevention. Filming 23 of the 24 people who died there in that year Steel also interviews friends witnesses and incredibly one man who survived his suicide attempt. Inevitably controversial it's also an unflinching and ultimately poignant work. [show more]
Despite the somewhat macabre subject matter of this documentary, I found it quite uplifting (though don't get me wrong, it is very melancholy). I think this comes from the massive amount of personal insights offered by the interviewees on death, life, suicide (desperation, escape and relief), religion, mental illness, prejudice, friendship and family, upbringing, as well as the personalities of the individuals we are shown jumping off the bridge. The young man who survived his jump has, as might be expected, a lot to say on all of these things. However, I did expect it to cover the 'Fatal Grandeur' of the bridge in a little more depth. I wanted to know why 25 people in 2004 chose to kill themselves there, painfully and publicly. Though perhaps the films images of clouds rolling out over the bay, enveloping the towering red structure and dozens of sight seers offer a little insight into this. The bridge and film are both beautiful, and almost demand some careful meditation. This is definitely worth multiple viewings.
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San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is the most popular suicide destination in the world. Eric Steel's unflinching documentary explores what leads people to this most final of decisions, interviewing friends, families and witnesses of 23 of the 24 people who jumped off the bridge in 2004 - and, incredibly, one man who survived his suicide attempt.
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