"The Bridge" Documentry

In class we watched another documentary called 'The Bridge'; filmed in 2004 by Eric Steel. It shows one years constant filming along the Golden Gate Bridge and the 23 jumps and several suicide attempts that happened over the course of the filming.

There are many controversial issues that surround this documentary, the main being the sensitive and strong content that you see and learn. We thought of some questions in the lesson based around the treatment of the documentary rather than the content. We were asked by Mr. Buckmaster to respond to these issues.

Do we have the right to see this?

I believe that we as an audience do have a right to see this. I do not think that this documentry is in anyway promoting suicide but in some ways sharing the need that some people need. Compared to "The Boy Who's Skin Fell Off" this documentary differs from it being based more around the fascination of suicides linked to the Golden Gate Bridge rather than spreading the awareness of the issue and promoting a way of helping people. I also think it helped to express the importance of not ignoring symptoms and therefore I believe it did promote some parts in a good way. Also this doumentry gives a very strong message to people who are feeling suicidal as we hear Ken Baldwins story in the documentary and his attempt of suicide that he immediately regretted. I think this gives a positive message and a feeling of hope.

Why has the documentary got an 18 rating?

This documentary has a high rating, this is due to its taste and decency. I found the documentary quite hard to watch due to it actually showing people committing suicide. Along with verbal accounts and photo graphs from people who have seen people jumping off the bridge or climbing over the railing. This can clearly be disturbing for many viewers and therefore a high rating.

In conclusion, this documentry was purely an insightful and cencear. I believe that it was very moving and in some ways helpful to some viewers feeling the same, i would advise people to watch this. 

The Boy Who's Skin Fell Off Documentary

In today's class, we watched a documentary called 'The Boy Who's Skin Fell Off''. This is a journey through the 36 year old, Jonny Kennedy, on his day to day struggles though life as he suffers from a rare genetic skin disorder called 'Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)'. This is a very moving documentary giving out many different emotions, it also presents many different issues that people may go through in life, such as:

- Death

- Suffering

- Family
- Religion and Faith
- Disability
- Abortion
- Charity
- Independence
- Sexuality and Relationships

When the class were presented this, many views and opinions were put across especially about it being shown on television. About how it wasn't appropriate to be showing someone in so much pain and suffering. From watching this, points where put across to debate over, such as..

Do we have the right to see this?
The class and i discussed whether we had a right to watch this documentary, because of the very personal information that was displayed throughout it. In my opinion, i think that we do have a right to see it as jonny seemed very comfortable about sharing his life long problem and feelings to the thousands of people who would what this, and i think it is also a really effective way of publicising the terrible problem and also informing people of his charity. But on the other hand there re some subjects in the documentary that i think should not be show, for example, abortion was one of the most referred too in the documentary that was frequently asked to jonny's mother, this issue i think should not be put on one person and be expected to answer to because its a horrible thing to think about, especially when the question was asked jonny was in the same room. This is a very personal thing to share on TV and I think this was too much to be sharing with a large audience about a sensitive issue. 

Was it a valid documentary?
I think it was a very valid documentary as it helps the viewers fully understand Jonny, his condition and his life living with the condition. It also spreads awareness of the condition and promotes the charity which is very helpful for people who suffer with EB like Jonny. This documentary allows the audience to connect with Johnny and I feel that many people will both take something from it and give something back. I personally have learnt a lot about a rare condition that I previously knew nothing about and have acknowledged a worthy charity through this documentary.

Did they take advantage of the situation?

I definitely think they took advantage of the situation because it is such a rare condition that it would be hard to find someone willing to help to make a documentary and that has put so much time and effort into helping others who have the condition. However, I don't think that taking advantage of it was all bad; through the documentary Johnny not only got to educate and inspire millions with his story but he managed to raise thousands of pounds and promote his charity. But I think the morals and ethics behind using this story was for a very good cause by allowing Johnny Kennedy by giving him the opportunity to share his story with the world which i think is very brave and inspiring.