Watch Newtown

Newtown is a documentary film that explores the aftermath of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The film focuses on the experiences of the families affected by the tragedy, as well as the community's response to the event. Directed by Kim A. Snyder, the film opens with footage of the day of the shooting, December 14, 2012, as the town struggles to come to grips with the tragedy. From there, the film follows several families who lost children in the shooting, as they attempt to find a way forward in the wake of their devastating loss.

One of the main figures in the film is Gene Rosen, a Newtown resident who found several children who had escaped from the school and took them into his home to keep them safe. Rosen emerges as a key voice in the film, offering insights and perspectives on the tragedy as well as on the larger issues of gun violence and mental health in America.

The film also features interviews with other Newtown residents, including Syeda Suriya Ahmed, a local teacher who was one of the first on the scene at the school, and Abbey Clements, a friend of one of the victims who becomes involved in the fight for gun control.

Throughout the film, Snyder uses a variety of techniques to convey the emotional impact of the tragedy. She blends footage of community gatherings, candlelight vigils, and memorial services with interviews and personal stories from the families affected by the shooting. The result is a powerful portrayal of grief and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

One of the film's strengths is the way it strips away the political rhetoric that often surrounds discussions of gun control and mental health. Instead, Newtown focuses on the human toll of gun violence, offering a heartfelt and deeply affecting portrayal of the lives lost and the families left behind.

The film also examines the role of the media in the aftermath of the shooting. Snyder shows how the media frenzy that followed the shooting affected the lives of the families and the community as a whole. One poignant moment in the film shows a father, Mark Barden, speaking to the press in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, his voice breaking as he struggles to come to terms with the loss of his young son.

Ultimately, Newtown is a film that asks important questions about the nature of violence in America, and the toll it takes on our communities. By focusing on the human cost of gun violence, Snyder avoids the trap of politics and ideology, and instead creates a moving and deeply human portrait of grief and resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

The film is a must-see for anyone concerned about the epidemic of gun violence in America, and the toll it takes on our communities. With America still grappling with the issue of gun control and the role of mental health in acts of violence, Newtown reminds us of the importance of coming together as a community in the face of tragedy.

Newtown is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 87.