Newtown

On December 14, 2012, the world watched in horror as a senseless massacre unfolded at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty children between the ages of six and seven were dead, as were six educators. Because of their increased frequency, mass shootings are less shocking in our culture now, but this one was notably different. The thought of a madman spraying over a hundred bullets into children is unbearable, yet we must understand the reality of the terror they faced. That’s the focus of Kim A. Snyder's haunting documentary, NEWTOWN. While the film briefly touches on gun control, it doesn’t aim to be political. Snyder focuses on three parents who lost their children, Daniel, Ben, and Dylan; the names are important here, as too often the media gives attention to the shooter. As the nation moves on, the pain for these families is still fresh. Not a moment goes by that they aren’t reminded of that hellish day. By remembering and honoring the lives of those who were lost, NEWTOWN rises above the politics that often overshadow the true impact of this tragedy. –E.F.