Filmmaker Kim A. Snyder’s documentary examining the aftermath of the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, takes on even greater relevance following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, that sparked nationwide protests by students against gun violence. Wisely, this film does not dive into the debate over the Second Amendment or gun control, nor does it seek to hang blame on political or media factions (aside from a few fleeting comments aimed at feckless politicians). Instead, Newtown focuses on the emotional angst still lingering in the small town and among the families of those who lost loved ones to the carnage. The film’s subjects speak with a sincerity that barely conceals the pain they still carry, and their efforts to make sense of one of the most senseless crimes imaginable is heartbreaking. In many ways, Newtown serves as an elegiac meditation on death and the challenges faced by those who must soldier on after experiencing profound tragedy. "There are monsters that walk among us," one shooting survivor calmly explains. "There are people that think unthinkable thoughts and do unthinkable things." A haunting, mournful film, this is highly recommended. Editor’s Choice. [Note: this is also available with public performance rights for $95 for public libraries and $350 for colleges and universities from Ro*co Films Educational, www.rocofilms.com.] Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Newtown
(2015) 83 min. DVD: $24.95. Passion River (avail. from most distributors). Volume 33, Issue 3
Newtown
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As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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