To most people it’s the landmark that instantly
brings San Francisco to mind, but the Golden Gate Bridge also holds the sad
distinction of being one of the most popular suicide sites in the world – since
its completion in 1937 there have been approximately 1500 jumpers. However,
while the subject itself is too narrow for a feature length film, there is
something distinctly perverse about Eric Steel’s documentary, as we are treated
to what seems like an endless reel of individuals jumping to their deaths. Steel
might argue that he is merely an observer in the face of these tragedies – then
why do we feel like voyeurs come the end credits?
2/5
I was driving over the Golden Gate Bridge with a San Franciscan at the wheel. It was so incredibly beautiful on that hot, summer day. As we rolled through some fog and burst into the sunlight, I exclaimed, 'Wow it is so beautiful it makes me want to jump off it.' There was a deadly silence in the car, but the driver smiled at me, and agreed whole-heartedly that it was indeed gorgeous. I learned only later that, in fact, the driver's mother had killed herself by jumping off the bridge years earlier.
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