When young people commit suicide, their voices are lost to us. Most of us will get only a brief glimpse into this young person’s world through news coverage – stories that capture the sensationalism but not the humanity of a life lost. And as the press moves on to the next story, the next headline, we forget and leave behind a group of people whose lives are inexorably changed. In this film, the production team seeks to look deeper into these stories, to see what’s hidden behind the momentary news coverage. We see the events leading up to the suicide of 14-year-old Sam Bradley and the aftereffects on his family, his town, and even on the bullies whose torment he sought to escape. By looking deeper into his life, the lives of the bullies, the decisions of the school administrators, and the layers of bullying that permeate his world and the world of those around him, we can engage in a deeper conversation about the systemic problems that lead to this senseless loss of life. Sam only speaks one word throughout the film, because when young people die, their voices are lost forever, usually before they were ever really heard. This film is a musical, and it uses words and music to take us inside of Sam’s life and the lives of those around him. The song sung at Sam’s vigil is a plea to those who are moved by the message of this film: “Raise your voice.”
—Aaron Alon, writer & director
©2017 Aaron Alon. All Rights Reserved.