There arent many documentaries likeDear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father. In 2001,Kurt Kuennes childhood friend Andrew Bagby was murdered by his estranged girlfriend, Shirley Turner. The case was closed on 11 January 1994 without an interview with Turner. Bringingattention to this film, after all,supports the cause of Kate and David Bagby, who, since becoming activists for bail reform, have helpedshepherdseveral positive changes to the Canadian legal system. While Kenneth Kuennes documentary Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father was named for the boy, he began filming before Turners pregnancy was even announced. The Dear Zachary Story, "After Canadian mother killed herself and their only grandchild, U.S. couple started 10-year fight to change Canada's bail laws", "I had the moral right to kill Shirley Turner", "Shirley Turner, son found dead | CBC News", "Turner psychiatrist ordered to pay $10,000", "Ask the filmmaker a question about 'Dear Zachary', No need for Zachary Turner to die: death review, "Top 5 Good Movies You Never Want To See Again", "Nearly 2 decades after the murder of a physician and his son a legacy of love survives", "Dear Zachary: Donations in Andrew's Memory", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murders_of_Andrew_Bagby_and_Zachary_Turner&oldid=1152317598. A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son. "Dear Zachary" (2008) is Kurt Kuenne's directoral debut, a homage to his murdered friend, addressed to said friend's child. Sometimes, however, there is no satisfying ending. [12], Turner's body was found on a beach by a vacationing couple, with Zachary's body discovered nearby. Your work will be featured on our homepage and in our weekly Overheard on Odyssey newsletter. Best Documentaries on Amazon Prime A senseless crime In the early morning of 5 November 2001, she confronted Bagby at his residence, located across the street from his practice. Kuennes film transforms into a visual letter to the child that Andrew never got to meet. Turner wrote to the judge who locked her up and, contrary to normal legal procedure, received advice on how to appeal her arrest and imprisonment. The lot number on a box of condoms found in Turner's Council Bluffs apartment matched a box purchased by Bagby in Latrobe on the night of the break-up. "Dear Zachary" (2008) is Kurt Kuenne's directoral debut, a homage to his murdered friend, addressed to said friend's child. Here's Why 'Dear Zachary' Is The Most Upsetting Documentary Ever Made, Dear Zachary:A Letter to a Son About His Father, Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father. It was concluded thather eldest daughter and son were often left unattended for days on end, and -when Turner was home -she would strike them with a variety of objects, ranging from open hands to belts. Director Kurt Kuenne Writer Kurt Kuenne Stars Kurt Kuenne Andrew Bagby David Bagby See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video included with Prime More watch options Add to Watchlist 7 Different Types of Legal Defenses In Criminal Law. by Johnny Brayson. Feb. 7, 2017. Kuennes documentary instead puts the victim before the crime. The film was submitted to the Toronto International Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival, but was rejected by both. I've hesitated to suggest it to a few of my more fragile friends because it is one of those films that can leave you in an emotional funk for days afterward. gathers the fragments of a true crime story about young doctor Andrew Bagby and the terrible events surrounding his death. On November 6, 2001, Bagbys body, shot five times, was found in a park near his hometown of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. I sit; prisoner to my own body. Not only will you gain valuable writing experience, but youll get to choose your own topics and write one response a week to one of our top trending articles. [4] The case led to the passage of Bill C-464, or Zachary's Bill, strengthening the conditions for bail in Canadian courts in cases involving the well-being of children. Dear Zachary Dear Zachary You've been studying all day and still don't understand the majority of the terms. But heres the plot. [5], Shirley Jane Turner (28 January 1961 18 August 2003) was a Canadian-American daughter of a U.S. serviceman and local woman from St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador. [15] The website Film School Rejects place the film third in their list of the "30 Best Films of the Decade". In his approach, Kuenne succeeds in presenting a full portrait of Bagbys life, showing just how many lives Bagby affected and the deep grief that accompanied his death. [2]:84, Upon becoming pregnant, Turner married a long-time boyfriend during Memorial University's 1981 winter recess. Doucet said he was "disappointed" by the verdict, while David Bagby stated that he was happy with the precedent his case would be setting. A judge released her using the logicthat "[h]er crime, while violent, was specific in nature," implying that she was not likely to harm anyone else. When the child washed ashore, the man who found them wrapped Zachary in a blanket, forgoing the usual plastic bag, to keep him as far as possible from the unstable, albeit deceased, woman who took his life. Turner posted bail with help from her psychiatrist, John Doucet, a former co-worker from Memorial University. Turner was arrested as a suspect, and, shortly thereafter, announced she was pregnant with Bagby's child, a boy she named Zachary. The case led to a critical overview of Newfoundland's legal and child welfare systems as well as Canada's bail laws. Beginning in early 1999, Turner began dating Andrew David Bagby (25 September 1973 5 November 2001), an American medical student studying at Memorial University for his third year. You didn't study enough and you're pretty sure that last final dropped your grade at least 10 percent. Best of all, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home or wherever you happen to be spending your summer. [10], The Chicago Film Critics Association nominated the film for its award for Best Documentary, and the Society of Professional Journalists presented the film with its Sigma Delta Chi Award for Best Television Documentary (Network). Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father To sign up, email glorie@theodysseyonline.com. Before police could apprehend her, Turner moved back to St. Johns, Newfoundland, and her arrest was impeded by a complicated extradition process. 12 Documentaries With Twist Endings It also received the Special Jury and Audience Awards at the Cinequest Film Festival, was named an Audience Favorite at Hot Docs, received the Audience Awards at the St. Louis International Film Festival and the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, was named Best Documentary at the Orlando Film Festival, and was awarded the Jury Award for Best International Documentary at Docville (Belgium). Unsettled and left with no closure over the case, David and KateBagby,Andrew's parents and Zachary's grandparents,aggressively told their tale inKuenne's documentary entitledDear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father. Zachary The birth of Zachary didn'tend David's dark thoughts, however. So here it is: If theres one documentary you need to watch before you die, its Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son about his Father. WebDear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a 2008 American documentary film written, produced, directed, edited, and scored by Kurt Kuenne. Horrifying as it was, she pushed it back in herself. [15], Dear Zachary was released on DVD on February 24, 2009, by Oscilloscope Laboratories. A little over a month later, on November 3, Turner confessedto the fake pregnancy and Bagby endedtheir relationship. [14] According to filmmaker Kurt Kuenne, Doucet later left Newfoundland and relocated elsewhere in Canada.[15]. https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Zachary-Letter-About-Father/dp/B00MB6F3QW On 13 October, Turner told Bagby that she was three months pregnant. Dear Zachary Feature photo of Andrew Bagby from "Dear Zachary" via MSNBC Films. Between 1998 and 2000, she served as a resident physician at teaching hospitals across Newfoundland. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}473050N 525945W / 47.513769N 52.995733W / 47.513769; -52.995733. Shouldnt those around us love us for us rather than the clothes we are wearing? 10 Disturbing Documentaries That Are Stranger Than Fiction. At approximately 1:00p.m. local time, Turner embarked on a 16-hour, 1,523-kilometre (946mi) drive to Latrobe with her gun and ammunition inside a gun box in her Toyota RAV4. [2]:101. The following day Doucet received a voicemail from a female caller who stated, "Dr. Turner died last night.". In October 2001, Turner obtained a permit to buy a firearm and purchased a Phoenix Arms HP22 handgun and .22 ammunition, which she used during firearms lessons. Her hobbies are: reading about science, doing experiments, and travelling. Screening the film wherever they could, including directly to the Canadian Parliament, the pair along with the filmmaker insisted that Zachary's story become more than just a true-crime documentary- it needed to pushthe creation of legal reformations to protect future children. [20] The Film Vault included the film on their list of the "Top 5 Good Movies You Never Want to See Again". Turner retained custody of all three of her children. [13], On 3 May 2006, a disciplinary board convened by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador found Doucet guilty of professional misconduct for his involvement in helping to post Turner's $75,000 bail. Although Dear Zachary began as a project that was only intended to be shown to friends and family of Andrew Bagby, owing to the way events unfolded, Kuenne decided to release the film to the general public.[9]. Nobody from the department of social services contacted Turner, and the case was dropped on January 11, 1994. Luckily, they chose to go on and fight for their son, especially after finding out he had a child on the way. Kurt Kuenne has made a documentary in a way that a film itself is made, with amazing editing patterns and with a story that really grabs you and moves you. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father Kurt Kuenne is an award-winning filmmaker and composer of both fiction and documentary films. A patient of the clinic refused to return after an encounter with Turner. On 4 July 2003, Turner met a young man at a bar in St. John's. A portion of the film also shows Kuenne meeting Zachary in Newfoundland in July 2003 to celebrate his first birthday, one month before his death; Shirley Turner is present during the visit, but Kuenne avoids her. The film also received the Special Jury and Audience Awards at the Cinequest Film Festival, was named an Audience Favorite at Hot Docs, received the Audience Awards at the St. Louis International Film Festival and the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, and was named Best Documentary at the Orlando Film Festival. On 18 August 2003, Zachary was scheduled to be in his mother's custody. And she dances. This site uses cookies to improve user experience. [2]:494 Turner drowned. A Timeline Of The Horrific Case Behind 'Dear Zachary'. Kuenne adds his own memories to the film, along with his anger & grief over the senseless crime. With no signs of forced entry, Bagby never filed charges. In my lifetime, I have watched a great number of movies like these ones which are really emotional, but the only one that has ever caused me to cry for real was the documentary titled Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, which was released in 2008. After the murder, Turner, now accused of killing Andrew, announces she is four months pregnant with Andrews child. Andrews parents, David and Kate Bagby, have relocated toCanada to be closer to Zacharyand pursue justice for Andrew. The staff became "so concerned about Shirley Turner's approach to confrontation and the truth that we would never give her feedback or hold any major discussion [with her] alone." Turner later drove home and left a message on Bagby's answering machine. 12 Documentaries With Twist Endings Bagby's parents, friends, and associates were uneasy about the relationship because of what they saw as Turner's off-putting behavior. Dear Zachary is the only film that has made me cry. Police discovered his body in a parking lot at Keystone State Park. Frankie Stein is from Italy, but lives in Ingolstadt, Germany. Going beyond the tropes of a generic investigative documentary, Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Father to a Son About His Father is deeply personal and frustratingly tragic, and it doesnt have a happy ending. Throughout my time in college, especially studying abroad, I found that I loved jeans, baggy sweaters, my Air Force 1s that I have worn down to the point its crazy, small rings, and dresses. Dressing for you and not for others is easier said than done. Turner,still unwilling to leave him alone, went to his home and attempted an elaborate and psychologically disturbing suicide. Her boyfriend is called Victor and they both love listening to The Cure, reading Byron, and gazing upon William Blake prints. The ultimate tragedy of this story came when Turner, in 2003, jumped into the Atlantic Ocean, holding her one-year-old baby Zachary in her arms. Join our team and let's create something amazing together! You simply must see this film." She took her return flight to Iowa, but then, the next day, drove the almost 1,000 miles back to Latrobe, arriving early on the morning of November 5. In addition, Turnercalled him repeatedly. He was ordered to pay a fine of $10,000covering one-third of the $30,000 incurred by the college for the inquiryand was ordered to undergo psychiatric counseling. Documentary Biography Crime A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son. [21], The Chicago Film Critics Association nominated Dear Zachary for its Best Documentary award, and the Society of Professional Journalists presented the film with its Sigma Delta Chi Award for Best Documentary. You reward yourself for studying and consume so much pizza that it actually consumes you. One note had been addressed to Doucet and the other to her psychiatrist; the latter read, "I am not evil, just sick." In the interim, one of Andrew Bagbys closest childhood friends, filmmaker Kurt Kuenne had begun making a documentary about the young doctor, titled Dear Zachary, an effort to tell the toddler about the father he never met. Released in 2008, the film makes the cut as one of the greatest documentaries of all time. During my time abroad, we were encouraged not to wear athletic clothing to fit in with the European culture. She could be charming[,] friendly and lively but when caught in an untruth she would become angry, accusatory and loud. Bagby's parents moved to Canada to attempt to gain custody of their grandson. She hung the fake pregnancy over Bagby's head and used it to harass any woman who was close withhim. The bill, which helps protect children in relation to bail hearings and custody disputes, was signed into law the following year. Dear Zachary, which unfolds chronologically,has not one but two major twists. Andrew told a friend he was going to meet Shirleythe following day to finally end things. Bagbys childhood friend Kenneth Kuenne made the film as a way to document the memories of Andrews life. Dear Zachary Although its hard to watch, its a must-see. These chains still hold me to someone who left a long time ago. Also in Turner's apartment were MapQuest printouts for road directions to Latrobe. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. The next morning, Andrew didnt show up for work. There was just something off about her, one family friend explains. It has serious heart, and its unusual approach makes it all the more heartbreaking. Dear Zachary The organizations that named it one of the best films of 2008 included: Time Out Chicago, The Oregonian, the Times Herald-Record, Slant Magazine, and WGN Radio Chicago. If you're looking for an extremely disturbing documentary film, you'll find it on these lists! These incidents left the supervising physician with the impression that: I felt I was being manipulated whenever I spoke with Shirley Turner. What is the French language plot outline for Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)? Those two exams just stripped you of your pride. It received critical acclaim, particularly for its editing and emotional weight. And,with no evidence of tampering, it was highly likely Turner was the culprit. Andrew was never late, the friend said. Dear Zachary is the only film that has made me cry. As Turner was leaving Bagby's apartment to travel home, she decided to turn around. Lists about some of the most shocking and upsetting documentary films & series that you should totally watch anyway. Even if it doesn't send you bawling like me, you will feel a whole range of emotions: sadness, anger, disgust, impatience, injustice, despair. It's widely believed that if she hadn't been released, Zachary would probably still be alive today. A possessive and jealous Turner also confronted Bagby about his friendship with an ex-girlfriend. to every member of the Canadian Parliament to campaign for a bill to give more protection to children in custody disputes. Notall of thememories are positive, of course. He had been shot five times. One of Turner's former roommates became so alarmed by Turner's behavior towards her children that heabandoned his tenancy. Dear Zachary Dear Zachary is beloved among the true-crime documentary community for being honest, heart-felt, infuriating, and devastating. Narrative duties are split between Kuenne and Andrews many friends and his wonderful parents, David and Kate. She confesses her profuse love for this song, but she doesnt even understand it. I cannot recall a trainee like Shirley Turner in that her approach lacked personal commitment and her relationships with people seemed, at least to me, to be superficial when compared to the over 400 residents I have supervised during the past 21 years. [9] David and Kathleen Bagby moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, in order to fight for custody of their son's child, while Turner eventually moved into her own apartment on Pleasant Street in St. John's. At this point, Turner had completely gone off the deep end, which culminated in themurder-suicide of both herself and young son, Zachary. They're leaving and you're the last one of the group left at school. 4. The result is one of the saddest movies of all time (even the trailer will make you weep) and one of the most disturbing documentaries ever, so grab a box of tissues and read on to relive some of themost compelling aspects of Dear Zachary. After Doucet broke up with Turner and moved elsewhere in Newfoundland, she began inundating him with phone calls. Screaming is absolutely inevitable. The fam bam is here, and you sadly wave good bye to your dorm room. Bagby agreed to talk with her about the pregnancy during a wedding that Bagby was scheduled to attend. Exploring different styles is important, but finding clothes that you feel most comfortable and confident in is even more significant. According toCBC News: "The social services system in Newfoundland and Labrador failed [Zachary].". Turner was wearing a black dress, carried a bouquet of red roses and had two suicide notes on her. "[2]:454, Turner was returned to jail in November 2002 pending a decision by the federal justice minister regarding whether she should be extradited to the United States. Three years later, Turner and her second husband divorced, and she was granted custody of their daughter. [11] She then drove with Zachary to nearby Conception Bay South, where the man she had met at the bar lived. Turner completed her undergraduate education while raising her children with help from her second husband. Kuenne wanted to gather memories of Bagby, from the fact that he always wore shorts to his goofy, fun-loving nature. When confronted with this evidence, Turner claimed that she met with Bagby at Keystone State Park but that he put the gun in his trunk. You show up to your 8 a.m. final with about three hours of sleep, no coffee and only half of the information you studied readily available in your mind. The film ends with the Bagbys and their relatives, friends, and colleagues reflecting on the father and son, as well as the impact that Kathleen and David, who Kurt realizes the film is really for, had on all of them.
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