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'Bowling' leaves significant impact
By Adam Johnson
Published:
Monday, February 10, 2003
Media Credit: scott theisen
A showing of Michael Moore�s �Bowling for Columbine� filled the seats of Ritsche Auditorium Thursday night. The documentary explores the possible reasons why violent acts such as school shootings happen. Moore questions the availability of guns and examines social issues that may lead to violence.
Ritsche Auditorium was packed Thursday night when a large crowd turned out to see a UPB-sponsored screening of the film "Bowling for Columbine." The documentary, directed by irreverent comedian and foe of corporate America, Michael Moore, was followed by a Q&A session led by a panel of SCSU professors.
To say that the film had an impact upon the students who watched it is an understatement. The theater filled with laughter during the film's satirically comedic moments, but became deathly silent as the real-life security camera footage from the Columbine shooting played, prompting gasps and more than a few tears from the crowd.
Professor of sociology Elizabeth Scheel viewed the film for the second time, and was still particularly moved by it..
"I really hope this film causes us to look at our own fears and why we do the things we do,"she said.
Fear was a common theme in the film, as well as the discussion that followed. In addition to the fear it instilled in its viewers in regards to gun violence, Moore made a point of showing that fear is often the cause for the horrific violence we are confronted within America.
Another theme the film addressed at length was the belief that the media contributes to the woes of the nation with its regular, gratuitous coverage of violence.
This belief was supported by the audience during the discussion, where a general sense of media distrust was expressed.
Applause swept through the crowd as Brad Chisholm, professor of film, implored students to help the media of tomorrow change its ways. Students were likewise disgusted with the lack of morals often apparent in news coverage.
"The media definitely poisons the youth," freshman Robert Pfeilsticker said. "The great thing about this movie is that it shows us that we can make a difference and that we shouldn't be discouraged by these problems."
Students were encouraged by the Q&A session as well as by the film. Many of them felt that a mandatory discussion should follow any screening of the documentary.
"After seeing such an emotionally moving film, it was very beneficial to stay and discuss it," senior Jesse Birnstihl said. "It really adds to the film's power to see what the alternatives are to the things we do."
Indeed, students longed to hear proposed solutions to gun violence after watching a movie that provides more questions than answers.
"The film confronts us with fear," Pfeilsticker said. "But it's not so much looking for solutions as forcing the country to look in the mirror."
However, the film didn't receive universal praise. Some felt that it stopped short of exploring some of the important issues surrounding this sensitive subject.
Scheel lauded the film's extensive look at child gun violence, but didn't give enough time to thoroughly explore adult crimes.
"The movie downplayed the issue, which in reality is a much larger problem than that of juvenile acts alone," Scheel said.
In addition, students leaving the theater expressed disappointment at the level of debate involved in the discussion.
"Basically, everyone agreed," Pfeilsticker said. "The film really only brought out advocates of gun control, so we didn't get the benefits (that) a two-sided discussion would bring."
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