The Bridge
January 15th 2008 05:21
Like Zoo, The Bridge, is a deeply compelling film about a deeply disturbing subject made with intelligence and a delicate sense of style. Haunting and poetic, The Bridge resonated with me for along time after, just as Zoo had done. Whereas Zoo was about aberrant love (bestiality), The Bridge is about nihilistic despair (suicide), two films exploring the darkness of the human condition.
The Bridge was conceived and directed by Eric Steel, who had read about how the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco was the most popular destination in the world for those committed to suicide. He pondered over how something so iconic and majestic could become linked to something so utterly sad.
In reality they filmed nearly all of the 24 people who committed suicide from the bridge that year; some in close-up, others in long shot. Some were simply a splash in the distance, while others were long lingering moments of a person contemplating, and then casually scaling the bridge’s modest barrier, throwing themselves off, and plummeting the roughly 67 metres into the sea.
This girl nearly jumped but changed her mind, a stranger with handicam was nearby
This man was talked into climbing back over the barrier
The film uses interviews with family, close friends, and strangers, to some of the people who committed suicide that year. These on-camera interviews are intercut with footage of their loved ones completing the act. It is these interviews that provide the documentary with an intriguing insight into the lives of those who’ve committed suicide in those final days, hours and even minutes before.
Although dealing with an extremely serious subject the film is surrounded by an ethereal vibe; that of the haunting score and the beautiful imagery of the Golden Gate itself, often obscured by cloud, frequently portrayed through time-lapse photography, the tiny vehicles hurtling along its enormous span like busy ants, while container ships pass underneath alongside surfers catching the waves from its wake. Cleverly, yet frankly, director Steel juxtaposes all this life and energy with the macabre finality of suicide.
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Comment by JohnDoe
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Comment by Tracy
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Comment by Cibbuano
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that guy fell 67m, feet first, with boots on, and it still shattered his bones? Man, water is hard.
Comment by Lilla
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I loved your review and also applaud the filmakers boldness
It seems to me, that those drawn to suicide will be drawn, no matter what is on the screen... my point is that it wouldn't give the non-suicidal ideas, would it? So the moralists are off base to me. Anyway, that is just my view.
I will relish finding this film in my video store, now that I have read your review.
Thanks
Lilla ...
Comment by Louie
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Each to their own I guess but I can see why it would upset people.
cheers
Louie
Comment by Bryn
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Cibby, water from certain height is like hitting concrete. Ugh! Imagine your worst belly flop x 100 ...
Louie, by the looks of it the filmmakers were too far from the bridge to ever intervene in time, but yeah, it begs the question ...
Comment by Damo
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It depends on how it was handled.
Usually stories of suicide are not put to news because of the copycat effect. Random reports of suicides tend to increase suicide rates it has been claimed.
Yet handled correctly may lower suicide rates. For instance if it identifies the signs of mental illness, or it leads to the improvement of services like lifelines and family support.
So it is a difficult subject.
Comment by Bryn
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Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
I have been at that point, that emotionless solitary void, and I plunged, although my choice was chemically, and it very nearly worked, having survived a week long coma.
Because of this fact, I need to respond to your statement:
"Yes, the movie can be viewed in one light as being exploitative, but in a way the doco simply highlights in similar fashion the selfishness and single mindedness of the person committing suicide."
Firstly, I think the decision on whether something is exploitative depends on the reasoning behind the film maker's choice to cover a particular topic, for instance; is it to enlighten, to show the true human condition, hidden under the acceptable veneer, of a society? Or is it merely sensationalist, with no philosophical view, appealing to one's Schadenfreude?
Secondly, while I agree the ultimate action of self sacrifice may seem selfish to that person's family and friends, I disagree that it is purely a selfish act, for that implies logical decision making and reasoning, which the (serious) suicide victim is unable to mentally cogitate.
This I can attest to from my personal experience.
For it is not an action I came to as a punishment of others, nor did I manage to think of what affect it might have on those that may have cared for me. I entered a solitary dark place, which took three days to generate, bringing me to a mental space where all else ceased to exist, and in my thought processes at the time, there seemed only one solution, suicide.
But, people attempt suicide for many different reasons, no doubt, and most seem to be not wanting to die, but get people’s attention, either for help, or they have another type of needy personality disorder, and then, some commit self murder, but that is another matter.
By the way, I liked your general approach in your review; you create a quiet and sombre mood, befitting the subject. I am unsure when, or whether, I might attempt to watch the doco myself, however, I think it is an extremely important subject that needs attention.
Cheers
fog
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
thankyou for that honest perspective, and I agree with you. The Bridge is not sensationalist, far from it, yet it enlightens in a surprising way, revealing more about the people who knew the person who had committed suicide. There is a distinct sense of distance apparent between the family/friends and the victims they knew, which runs parallel with the distance created by the lens from the suicide subjects on the bridge itself.
Thankyou for acknowledging the stylistic I employed in writing the review also.
Comment by Miswanderlust
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Comment by Bryn
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