Bridgend

At the time of this writing, the review scores for this movie are suspiciously high, and i've noticed two obviously bogus reviews praising the film's "costumes" and "animation/visual effects." This is a documentary. I guess you didn't really get your money's worth on those paid reviews, did you fellas?

This flick is about an upsetting rash of youth suicides by hanging in a small Welsh town. Bereaved family members are interviewed in literally gory detail, and some vague attempts at making sense of it all are tried, although it's clear from the start that Brigend's suicides occur because of sensational, over-reporting - any reader of Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point will be familiar with the phenomenon of suicide epidemics.

Although the filmmaker's interview questions are largely edited out, responses from family members reveal that they were roundly asked to describe how their deceased children looked on the morgue slab, a tasteless touch which makes Brigend come off as lurid and voyeuristic. The filmmaker shows his likely nip/tucked SoCal face near the end of the film. Both his presence and his mock outrage at the uncooperative police force are jarring, unnecessary, and tough to take seriously.

You're not getting much with Brigend. Just a sad set of interviews with a sad set of people in a sad little town, with ultimately no lessons learned and no hope for the future. It might make good viewing while you're wrapping a noose around your OWN neck, but it's otherwise missable.

Intriguing documentary about the titular South Wales town, which is haunted by being the location where dozens of people have been found hanged since 2007. Interviews include family members and friends, but the most interesting input is given by the coroner and two tattoo artists who own a studio where loved ones come to get inked tributes. There are moments that feel like bad taste; particularly, a hangman game title card, as well as director Williams putting himself in the spotlight towards the end a little too frequently—more importantly, the director's claim that there were already 50+ dead before the documentary crew arrived doesn't change the fact that this film could still play a part in the media's sensationalizing.

**½ (out of four)

This film is so chilling, it touches a cord with today's youth. I didn't know what to expect when I saw this. I was amazed at this mind blowing story! The town I grew up in was a small inner city down and there were far less deaths by gang violence. With all the suicides that are happening in the world today, people need to take notice of what's happening around them and do something about it. Seeing what happened to Robin Williams and there were no drugs found in his system. People are crying inside and most of the time we don't even know it. I think this Documentary should be in all the schools and churches in the areas. I think people should watch this and share it with people to help spread the word

I was upset because being a Bridgend boy I lived there for 30 years and it is a beautiful place now I'm not in Wales now it is a dark place but I still love Bridgend don't put Bridgend down if only the government help us we never have so much death please give Bridgend a respect watch this film as it is sad I knew 1 of the teenager and grieve when I was told the Welsh flag blow my heart belong there is good thing comes out of Bridgend as well bullet for my valentine and famous people comes from there Ruth Jones from Gavin and Stacy the dragon live on there some beautiful places to go there to if you like walking bryngawr park I recommend I love Bridgend

Jeppe Rønde is a beautiful man who has a passion to bring a story to life. He visited Bridgend County and the surrounding area numerous times over a five-year period before this film was shot. I was lucky enough to have spoken to him a few times during his research. This film is interesting and the cinematics are astounding. However, Jeppe as a young director still early in his career doesn't realize that he could have done more with less. Some people have called this flick disrespectful. But it is more the case of an artist trying to express himself. Yes, there is a lot going on in this film, and at many times it is very expressionist. The narrative is sometimes confusing and this is one in which one cannot simply put the DVD in and then switch-off one's brain as is usually the case with a lot of the drivel made today. The acting from a young Scott Arthur, Elinor Crawley and Josh O'Connor are commendable. Jobbing actor Steven Waddington also summonsed a strong presence, however, I would liked to have seen him apply himself more. Anyway, I would say to the critics, watch this movie from start to finish and then judge it, as the subtext is still very interesting.