by Steve Farace,
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL was the scene of one of the deadliest mass shootings in United States history. As we come upon the two-year anniversary of this horrific event, it’s not hard to forget the tragic stories that we’ve all heard since that day. AFTER PARKLAND gives us a look at what happened after the shooting and the far-reaching impacts those 6 minutes and 20 seconds had on so many people.
As AFTER PARKLAND kicks off, we see and hear some familiar sights and sounds. Thankfully, directors Emily Taguchi and Jake Lefferman decided that just a few moments of those sights and sounds were enough. Instead, they remained true to the name and went on to discuss what happened after the shooting. They cover everything from the impacts on the survivors, the community, and the country to the impacts on the political side of things.
As you hear some of the familiar names of those who lost their lives that day – Aaron Feis, Joaquin Oliver, Meadow Pollack, and more – you will get taken back to that day as memories rush back to you. I was less than a couple of miles from the school when the shooting took place. I remember the cop cars racing down the street and the helicopters circling real low. I was sitting next to a woman who was texting with her daughter as she hid in a closet in one of the classrooms. It was the closest to home that a mass shooting had been, yet an all too familiar scene and feeling – when would the madness stop?
The survivors, as well as the families of the victims, vowed that the deaths of their sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, and friends would not be in vain. They reached out to their local representatives and challenged them in public forums. They organized marches and helped to register new voters. They wanted this to be the last time this kind of thing happened and they were going to ensure that their voices were heard. AFTER PARKLAND shows us how people like David Hogg and Andrew Pollack lived their lives after the shooting. They and so many others refused to rest. They have yet to rest.
AFTER PARKLAND does a good job of telling the story about what happened across the country after the shooting. I will give fair warning – the room gets a little dusty, especially whenever Joaquin’s father was on the screening. They tell just enough about some situations, but not enough about others. I did admire the facts that they didn’t go too deep into the actual event and they did not mention the name of the madman that caused it all. It is also interesting to see how certain people were affected and where they place the blame. The directors did a great job of having us focus on how people are coping instead of reminding us of the action itself.
The Verdict – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, “After Parkland” will screen in over 100 cities across the U.S. as part of a nationwide Day of Conversation to commemorate the second anniversary of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Every voice counts as audiences and activists rally together to champion civic engagement and demand an end to gun violence. The film team and distributor Kino Lorber are creating a coalition of hosts to organize these screenings and create meaningful conversation and tangible change in 2020. Learn more and reserve tickets by February 3 at http://bit.ly/afterparkland .
Starting February 19, “After Parkland” will be exclusively available to stream on Hulu.