In 2001, I was sitting at my desk in my office here, and I saw the World Trade Centers hit and collapse. I was very aware of the people who made the choice to jump out of the building rather than perish in the flames. So, in a way, since I had already seen people leap to their death, I was sort of prepared to film The Bridge. On the other hand, one can't emotionally prepare to see the end of a human life.
Before, when I worked as a producer on films like Angela's Ashes and Bringing Out The Dead, there was a much bigger collaboration going on, and I wasn't the one steering the ship. In this case, I was the one trying to make sense of what was happening and what we were seeing day in and day out.
In trying to make sense of it all, I think the film tries to pose a series of questions, rather than provides answers. There must be some reason the Golden Gate Bridge is the top suicide destination in the world, but I think we may only be able to understand why subliminally.
The film offers a number of possibilities. One is that the bridge is incredibly beautiful. There is no denying how stunning it can be. It's also incredibly easy to climb over a four-foot rail; a seven-year-old could do it in a matter of seconds. There are lots of people there all the time, and not a lot of safeguards. Lastly, it's hard to jump off that bridge and not perish, so once you jump, there is no way out.
I also think that one of the reasons people choose the bridge is the likelihood that they will be seen.




Comments
Will this documentary be
By aftaab, August 2, 2007 at 22:36Will this documentary be playing at the Vancouver Film Festival?
Aftaab - I believe it's
By Heather Wallace, August 3, 2007 at 06:35Aftaab - I believe it's already completed its festival run. It's available on DVD - I highly recommend it, but don't recommend watching it alone. It was the scariest movie I'd ever seen. But life-changing.