First of all, I admit that I, too, was disturbed by the fact that the filmmaker chose to document people jumping to their deaths. I was horrified to see this in action. I believe that life is always preferable to death. However, and not lightly, I might argue (with myself as well as with you) that these people would have jumped whether or not the filmmaker’s cameras were recording these events. (And, apparently, the filmmaker and crew did notify bridge security whenever they identified a potential jumper.) Please consider perhaps that the filmmaker’s intention was to cause the rest of us–you, me, etc.–to address the issue of suicide by shoving it into our faces (an intrusive action which, unfortunately, seems to be required when addressing a subject such as mental illness or suicide) and NOT to provide answers. Perhaps the answers are required to come from us after the filmmaker has asked the questions. This seems to me to be the usual purpose of documentary filmmaking: To incite the viewer into some positive action after being stimulated into such action by the documentary film itself.

Your statement regarding one of many reasons to suicide: “…some simple desperation onset by the parade of small failures most of us perceive or encounter,” illustrates the general misunderstanding of and active derisiveness toward those who kill themselves. It seems to be nearly universal that people find it more comfortable to ridicule the things they fear rather than to confront, acknowledge or understand them. Your phrase diminishes the “desperation” of the suicidal person in the face of “small failures” and relegates the most important decision of his or her life to the realm of the weak and the whining. The tragedy, at which you seem to be laughing, is that even though these things may be in the eyes of others “simple desperation” and “small failures,” to the suicidal person they are the proverbial last straw, or the final sign that it would be better for them to die than to continue living. They have already expended enormous effort and energy just to be partially functioning, according to the rest of us, at this point, now. While our daily reality may be about sunny days and needing to mow the lawn, their daily reality is more likely to be all about the fact that they hurt. Period. This is why it is referred to as mental “illness.” It isn’t what most people consider to be correct or even conceivable; but to the suicidal it is stark and inescapable reality. They do not necessarily want it. Most of them, it seems, do not. Do you want the flu when you have it, or worse, Cancer? Of course not. Unfortunately, they have it, whatever it is, anyway; and they have to deal with it the best that they can, moment by moment, without the societal stamp of approval given to other, more acceptable maladies. Sometimes, as you can see and hear in this film if you look and listen closely enough, the only solution they can find to their distress is their own death. It stops the pain. That may not be the “real” truth as you and I may see it; but it is the only truth that they can see. Have you ever reacted to a situation or responded to a statement fully convinced that your interpretation of events was absolutely correct, only to find that nothing you assumed to be true was, in fact, true? (I once swerved a car to avoid hitting a drunken man running into the road in front of me, only to discover that what I saw was actually a similar shape made by vines growing on a streetlight support cable. You can admit to something similar, I’m sure.)

This is the force that you can see in this film driving “Gene” to stand upon the bridge railing, hold his arms out as wings or cross-members, and then, seemingly gleefully, fall backwards to his death, in spite of the fact that there are people who obviously and demonstrably love him (and in spite of us, as we watch, willing him to fly). Again, the tragedy is that his perception of his own pain was stronger than his belief in the love of those who would otherwise protect him. This was not his choice, but his burden. And he apparently saw the only solution to his, learned through long experience, inescapable pain as being the ending of his existence. As much as he may have loved his friends who loved him and may not have wanted to hurt them, he also apparently had a pain that could not be eased, even by the very love for which he was searching. Consider the amount of strength and resolve it takes to walk the bridge, vault over the rail, and voluntarily jump to one’s death when most of us can’t hold our breath for more than a minute or so, if that, before the survival instinct takes over and forces us to breathe again. This is a small measure of the power of the pain that these suicidal people are trying to manage on a daily basis. It’s not so much that they want to die as it is that they can’t find any alternative that works for them. I propose that no one chooses to die. Some do, however, submit to death. They die only as their last remaining perceived alternative.

In answer to your review, if we should, as you suggest, come away from this particular film with the feeling that someone other than ourselves should be responsible for addressing the issue of suicide, then we abdicate the responsibility to our fellow humans that is implicit in our own human existence. If we do that then we become like those people depicted in the film, either verbally or visually, who were oblivious to the life-ending emotional pain of the suicidal subjects. We would do better to emulate the actions of the man who, apparently acting on instinct, pulled a suicidal woman back over the railing and saved her life, at least for that moment.

To require the filmmaker, again as you suggest, to provide an answer to the question of suicide is akin to requiring the maker of any other documentary to provide answers to the questions that are raised by his or her film. Isn’t it the implied aim of socially conscious documentaries that they should portray to those of us who would otherwise remain unexposed to their subject(s) the reality lived by their subject(s) in order to expand our own understanding of the human condition beyond our limited view? Isn’t the purpose of such films to cause their viewers to think and to react, rather than to spoon-feed them not only a particular issue but also a prepackaged solution to that issue? Are we so lazy that we now require of our “thoughtful” films that they also do the thinking for us? I hope that this is not the case.

To be honest, I don’t know exactly what I feel about “The Bridge”. I find it incredibly sad. I find it also angering, puzzling and disturbing. I believe, however, that this was the exact intention of the filmmaker. I believe that this is what I am supposed to be feeling. I am not dissatisfied because the filmmaker didn’t give me answers; I am instead motivated to reach out to my fellow humans and thereby to work toward an answer. Perhaps this was the filmmaker’s hope.

Thank you for reading.

Watching people take their own lives is disturbing – most people will agree – although I think it is unfair to criticize the filmmaker for documenting it. That is, after all, the essence of genre. I don’t believe that it is our place as documentarians to morally edit real life. I would throw down my camera in a nanosecond if the person in front of it were crying out for help or unconscious and in imminent danger. This situation was complete different, and I strongly believe that it was not the filmmaker’s responsibility to police the physical safety of these people, nor was it his moral responsibility not to show it. Officials near the site even said that the practice was very common.

The reference to using Gene Sprague’s personal tragedy as a mere blocking tool is almost offensive to me. Using his experience to frame the story was very powerful in helping me to find some semblance of insider understanding into these individual’s personal struggles in trying to cope with life. I looked at Mr. Sprague more as the main character in a story that needs to be told in order to make us all more aware of the tacit symptoms of psychological diseases like this. This could be happening to any one of our own loved one’s, at this very moment, and this film has given us a way to better understand the scope of the problem and its symptoms.

I just saw The Bridge last night for the first time. Having been diagnosed with two severe, chronic mental illnesses about a year and a half ago, I absorb as much information as possible. This documentary is useful because it brings to light shortcomings in assistance for the mentally ill. To anyone with a severe mental illness, suicidal thinking is neither “sensational” nor “disturbing”. It’s just another symptom of mental illness. Personally, I’ve been less unnerved by suicidal/homicidal thoughts than I have been by seeing stuff (that isn’t there) moving out of the corner of my eye. Mental illness can be a lot like having a broken record in your brain that is stuck on the same thought unceasingly. It doesn’t have to be pain that leads to suicide, it can be these constant, intrusive thoughts or even a voice suggesting the act. Regardless of what immediately precedes a suicide, mental illness that hasn’t been treated adequately is the culprit (not external events or relationships with people). Unfortunately there is no cure for mental illness, only ways to manage or lessen symptoms (including suicidal thinking). If people want to take action as a result of this documentary, find a way through mass media to make sure people know the signs of mental illness in its early stages; begin to provide access to psychiatrists and medication despite the limitations of insurance coverage; and encourage coping and living skills for the mentally ill (rather than hospital stays or social security disability incomes). There never has been adequate care available for mental illness. Recent, better medications have helped combat mental illness somewhat. However, sitting around doing nothing everyday or believing that you aren’t capable of living a full life makes mental illness worse. There needs to be a revolution in care that shows the mentally ill how to face the stresses and fears of everyday life rather than hide in a hospital, group home, or parent’s house. It’s obvious by seeing the people in The Bridge who completed a suicide that none of them had any skills to deal with living with their mental illnesses (and their families/friends knew nothing about mental illness). They could have learned how to cope better with mental illness by recognizing what thoughts and behaviors are the illness and by seeing them as symptoms that will pass. It’s possible to never commit suicide even though your illness puts these thoughts in your head, but not without a correct diagnosis from a psychiatrist (not a family practice doctor or counselor/therapist), medication that works well for you, and having friends/family who force you to become self-sufficient, self-coping, and self-supporting (even financially). Treating mental illness properly, not adding safety features to bridges, will prevent suicides.

There are many things that can be said about “The Bridge” and the lives of those that ended during its filming. What I will say ,flat out, is that The Bridge is a beautiful film-which may sound strange to some- until they have seen it. The movie is far and away one of the most important documentaries ever made by virtue of the subject matter. It very poignantly puts a very human issue before our consciousness so that we might grow in our understanding; rather than speak in judgement as some have done here; and that is what I won’t do . I won’t speak in judgement of those that took their lives. I didn’t know those people. Those that did know them are excluded from my comments about judgement, because they were hurt by the loss of their friends or family members,etc, so I won’t judge them for anything they said about the people they lost.

The rest of us however-for whom those lost lives were part of a realm called the unknown- tend to exhibit a marked tendency to judge. From our position outside the subjective inner torment of others, we make all sorts of statements which do little more then make our values known while telling others that we believe that if we were in a similar situation we would do differently than those who chose to check out.
This is of course nonsense, since if we really could be in another’s situation–feeling as they did– we would indeed have to be them.

Judgements made about the life skills and capability to cope of those who self terminate is meaningless and without merit , because they are no longer here to offer defense for their actions, and would most likely not feel inclined to provide justification for their suicide to those for whom their lives were part of the unknown.

Eric Steel has done the world a service. He has not produced some sort of incentive for others to jump. Those that will end their lives at the bridge or in any manner will likely do so regardless of, “The Bridge” or any other movie. ITS ALREADY WITHIN THEM.

Meanwhile, those of us for whom life is too valuable to quit, must remember the power we each have to assuage the inner agony of those lost within themselves; lost within the isolation that is the key feature of our experience as a human being, particularly when it comes to the experience of pain. It may seem like a stretch to believe that we can give others the will to live, but it has happened. It may be impossible in all cases, because not all people in a state of despair can be pulled from it.

Nevertheless, we can never know beforehand that the person in our midst is beyond the point of being called back from the brink, and thus we must try. Should we find ourselves in the presence of someone perhaps temporarily without the will to live, we would do well to make an effort to get out of ourselves for a moment and extend whatever feeling of friendship,kinship,we can muster. Awesome proposition ?. Yes, in this world of human beings living each as an emotional island it may seem impossible to many ,but never for all. I see that understanding running through the film,as well the realization that in some cases we will have to let go.

Its strange, but here in America, where the new age spiritual smorgasbord flourishes, so many have yet to figure out that what people want most, more than fame or fortune, more than personal development or enlightenment; is to be loved by one in whom we can see ourselves mirrored truly,honestly,but without judgement.

Eric, thanks to you and your crew for making the movie.

Gene Sprague was among my closest friends in jr high. We hung out just about every day – his mother was quirky, but a fantastic painter and Gene a gentle soul who shared a love for comic books.

Someone who was a mutual friend sent me a link to the YouTube clip from this film – the section featuring Gene. he said Gene had taken his own life – what he failed to mention was that I was about to watch a snuff film of my friend’s last moments.

I cannot get over how calm and purposeful he was at the moment he jumped. I can only weep for the sadness and dispair that must have driven him to that length.

When we were kids (not long after the young picture displayed was taken) Gene was odd, sure. It was part of his appeal. he had a dry wit and a “f u if you’re offended by me” attitude, but he also didn’t mean anyone any harm whatsoever. People looked at his leather jacket and jet black hair and assumed the worst – and thus knew nothing about him. Their loss.

I am more sad today than I’ve been in years. I lost touch with Gene about 15 years ago – life moves on and we went in different directions. Now I am sad that I hadn’t kept in touch – wasn’t able to be there for him to tell him how much he meant to me as a friend when we were kids. And now I never will.

I understand the impetus for this film – and I understand that not talking about it won’t help the problem. But was it truly necessary to film the moment of impact? Can’t we simply assume these people died? I could have gone my whole life not seeing that and would have been better off for it.

I also fail to realize why, after seeing several people kill themselves, the people filming this didn’t call the authorities when they witnessed Gene walking the bridge for 90 minutes+. I mean, they obviously suspected something or they wouldn’t have filmed him. I read their response to this challenge and found their answer to be woefully lacking. More obvious is that they wanted to get thier “money shot”.

as I said – I agree with the effort the film maker went to to produce this, and I appreciate the fact that they say they wish to help prevent suicides from the GG Bridge (and in general). However there are better ways.

Finally, as disturbing as it was for me to watch that clip on YouTube and quite literally watch my friend die, it is even more disturbing to see the way the clip fades to black at the moment of impact, making it appear to be a peaceful death – I fear that by making an esthetically beautiful film of this action, and presenting it so, it will in fact inspire others who are contemplating suicide in this manner. What isn’t shown is the victim drowning in their own blood when the internal organs explode upon impact – a process that takes several minutes. There’s nothing beautiful about this kind of death, and Gene Sprague’s death in particular is a loss of a terrific friend, artist, and human being.

This event has forever impacted my life, and will leave me with this disturbing image for the rest of my days. For that I damn this filmmaker to hell where he should suffer the most unbearable sadness imaginable. Maybe then he’ll understand the profound sense of grief his film has caused me, and likely many others who counted themselves among Gene Sprague’s friends.

And for the record, he wasn’t “goth” as many say – Gene dressed in all black, died his hair and painted his nails starting in 1983 when we were 13 yrs old. His favorite band was KISS and he was a huge Billy Idol fan. If anything he was punk. So please stop calling him goth. Thank you.

Gene had a somewhat tragic life living alone with little friends or even food for that matter. From his blog you can tell he was in the midst of a deep depression. Genetic maybe, who knows but he seemed to never see light at the end of the tunnel. So many came forward after his death, but the sad thing is he had no family to speak of and few friends at that. Where was everyone when he was alone on xmas. I dont think anyone should be alone at that time. Such tragic endings to a wonderful hearted person. I feel deeply saddened for this. I feel no matter what, he would have likely committed suicide no matter what. We will never know now. rest in peace Gene.

Bottom line — somebody had to make this film.

Eric Steel did.

Case closed.

Having seen The Bridge twice, I want to say that it takes into one of the last private places left in humanity. This is something I know, having lost my Grandfather to suicide when I was 9 or 10. I am saddened/fascinated by it, and though it seemed so macabre, I have this empty curious feeling and this film helped me to understand it (that and the fantsctic book NIGHT FALLS FAST by Kay Redfield Jamison; one the best books on suicide)

I was very tense when I first saw this, especially the opening sequence….you knew someone would die…who? when? where? Everyone seemed normal, but then that ONE person, who seems as normal as everyone else climbs over and jumps…Striking and tragic but most troubling was that within moments the feeling was gone, replaced with a “O.k. I saw it” emotion. Wow…so sad.

There has been criticism that the film almost romanticised suicide and should have been more of a warning. Should the film makers showed the mangled remains?? Kind of like a cigarette warning sticker…..”This is what happens if you jump…” kind of thing? Come on, please. Do we need to dump an opened corpse onto the dock? I had enough trouble watching the film as it was……I think we ALL know how f____ up you would be hitting the water at 80+ mph.

I think showing Gene Sprague’s story was good. It was comforting, I guess, to get the full story on just ONE of the men and women who decided to end their life. We saw what was hapenning the months, then weeks, then days and then hours before he killed himself, thinking “If only I’d known him, maybe……” I think we ALL felt that, and that could be said for every one who jumped.

You seemed really cool Gene. Rest in Peace.

The story of Kevin Hines shows that NO, not all die, and guess what? You can realize you want to live,go on and live your life and have purpose; that suicide can refocus you on life and living and giving. No one knows how his story will ultimately play it’s final scene, but let’s hope it is when he’s old and grey…..

Lastly, this serves as a broader reminder that people are hurting and possibly thinking bad things. Can you stop it? maybe not, but you might; most people give certain hints that they are sad, depressed or suicidal. While we cannot bring back the people in the film, lets take their stories and apply them to people in our own life. Maybe we can make a difference.

I watched The Bridge last night. It was moving and disturbing. But I thought showing someone die was not legal? How does one get around that?

“Kris k. on July 17th, 2009 at 7:37 am Bottom line — somebody had to make this film.”

No, they didn’t. In fact, the more I consider it, the more I believe this was completely unecessary.

Especially after learning that the procedes go to the NIMBY solution of “build a net”.

The whole thing reeks of the mentality of denial, or a NIMBY solution. Basically they’re saying if people can’t jump off the GGB, they won’t kill themselves. That seems to be a woefully ignorant perspective and I strongly suspect the real take is “go ahead and kill yourselves, just don’t do it off of our tourist attraction”.

The director of this film should be thrown off of The Bridge. Even if all profits were donated to charity, the director is still profiting for having it on his resume and promoting his role as director. What a scumbag.

You seemed really cool Gene. Rest in Peace.