Health & Science

The Bridge: Looking Into The Abyss

The Bridge.jpg

The Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Peter McCandless, courtesy of First Stripe Productions.

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I knew it must have been the darkest moments of a human life, but because it occurred in public, on some level I believed the act was meant to be seen and understood. '

Eric Steel
Date Posted: 07/27/07
Reader Rating: rating

The Golden Gate Bridge is the top suicide destination in the world. Suicide is not an easy subject matter. My brother died of cancer as a young man, and I was with him when he died. My sister was killed by a drunk driver, and I wasn't there when she died. In many ways, it was easier to deal with the death that I saw than the one that I didn't. That is what guided me as I made the documentary The Bridge. In 2004, our crew ran cameras at the bridge for almost every daylight minute, capturing most of the two dozen suicides that happened, as well as many attempts. By looking at one of society's gravest taboos, I hoped to shine light on the darkest possible moments in a person's life.

In 2001, I was sitting at my desk in my office here, and I saw the World Trade Center towers 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.

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. With being seen comes the possibility that one can be saved.

I believe that we see our lives as a narrative. There is no more powerful metaphor than stepping over the ledge, looking into the abyss and having someone reach out and grab you in this tremendous bear-hug embrace and pull you back.


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Comments

Will this documentary be

By aftaab, August 2, 2007 at 22:36

Will this documentary be playing at the Vancouver Film Festival?

Aftaab - I believe it's

By Heather Wallace, August 3, 2007 at 06:35

Aftaab - 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.

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