3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not Your Average After School Special, January 10, 2007
Teen Truth is an intense documentary that attacks head on the epedemic of violence in school. This is a different kind of educational film, it's not a bunch of adults preaching to kids about what they think causes school violence, it's the kids themselves trying to understand and explain what drives certain teens to act out. Interviews with High School students explore the dynamics 'fitting in' and the anger and sadness that can build when someone isn't let in to the accepted social structure. It's an eye opener for kids who may not think their words and actions make a difference. The film is also a great reminder for adults of how truely important it was as a teenager to feel like you had friends who understood and supported you.
This film should be required viewing in all high schools
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most understanding portrayal of school violence ever captured on film, September 29, 2006
After watching "Teen Truth," I thought back to all of the educational videos shown to me through my entire career as a student. They were always dull and laughable with poor production qualities. They lectured and never entertained. Many students would sleep through the films, while others found better things to do like passing notes. But this film is different as it manages to be educational and entertaining. Statistics such as "30 percent of teens are involved in school bullying" or "52 percent of teens feel pressure to look certain ways" pop up on the screen, while soundbytes from various individuals share view points. The film also runs down assorted forms of bullying like teasing, intimidation, exclusion, spreading rumors and physical attacks, while noting bullying causes isolation, anxiety, anger and can lead to students wanting to kill. Christopher uses quick cuts, graphics and subtitles to emphasize certain quotes and the haunting music of Darren Fung. Somehow the whole thing manages to come off slick, yet raw at the same time. It feels less like something a high school student would be forced to watch at school and more like something they would chose to watch at home.
More importantly though, "Teen Truth" is the most understanding portrayal of school violence ever captured on film. That's because Christopher isn't looking to place blame with his film. He's not interested in scapegoats. No mention of any types of music, movies, entertainers or video games that possibly influenced any shootings are ever brought up. Christopher's film is more of a sympathetic hand reaching out, hoping to help in whatever way possible. Mostly what we get are teenagers candidly sharing their thoughts and voicing their opinions - which is all any of the gunmen ever seemed to want to do in the first place.
When Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into their high school in Littleton, Colo. on April 20, 1999 and proceeded to kill 12 of their peers, a teacher, and wound 24 others, a lot of people didn't understand why. Seven years after the event, the contents of Eric and Dylan's journals were finally made available to the public. Both were filled with sadness, loneliness and hate from being rejected by peers. Eric penned, "Whatever I do people make fun of me," while Dylan wrote, "I don't know what I do wrong with people, it's like they set out to hate and ignore me." These writings clearly show individuals that are hurting. They felt alone. They felt rage. They wanted acceptance. They wanted to be noticed. They wanted to be heard.
One of the girls interviewed in "Teen Truth," making a general statement about all teenage gunmen, probably said it best. "They wanted to make their statement and say, `This is the way you treated us.' And they feel that this is the repercussion of not treating people like they're actually human."
Perhaps now more people will begin to understand that. In Michael Moore's Oscar winning documentary "Bowling for Columbine" Marilyn Manson was asked what he would have said to Eric and Dylan to prevent the Columbine tragedy from happening. Manson replied, "I wouldn't say a single word to them, I would listen to what they have to say and that's what no one did." Though too late for Eric, Dylan and the other students enraged to the point of violence, "Teen Truth" is giving high school students a voice on the subject. Now hopefully someone is listening.
- CCF, September 2006, www.pollystaffle.com
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, But Hard to Pinpoint Why, June 20, 2007
This was excellent, but it's hard to pinpoint exactly why. Maybe the fact that it was made predominantly by teenagers and focuses on them as individuals, not just as lab rats. It is a real problem and seems more acute than when we were children. If you fear your child is being bullied, or is the bully, have them watch this. It is short, but it keeps your attention.
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