- Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
DIRECTOR'S
STATEMENT
This film stems
from a defining moment in my life, April 20, 1999. I was a freshman at
Columbine High School. I was in the cafeteria. In the years since, all of us
from the Columbine community have had to deal with that trauma. I made this
documentary with four of my classmates who were willing to go back to Columbine
and share their personal experiences. It’s our story told by us, not by outside
observers. There’s no agenda, no political agenda. It’s not an investigation of
a crime. It’s not trying to present these stories as factual events. It’s our
individual memories, our truths. It’s about what we are saying, as much as it
is about the fact that we are saying it. - Laura Farber
WE
ARE COLUMBINE is a documentary film highlighting the stories of Amy, Gus,
Jaimi and Zach, freshmen students who survived the mass shooting that took
place at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. More than 15 years after this
life-altering event, this film sensitively captures these classmates' deeply
personal and unique perspectives.
The film
acknowledges residual trauma, but also highlights four individual journeys
toward healing and engaging with life. By carefully honoring each person's
experience--via a return visit to Littleton and intimate one-on-one
interviews--this film shares a deeply personal look at the inherent
complexity of a life impacted by violence and loss at a young age.
Offering a unique
perspective, the filmmaker is also a fellow-survivor of the tragedy. After 15
years, these Columbine alumni feel like they have a safe outlet to tell their
stories: Honestly, uncensored, and in their own words.
Columbine alumni
trace their feelings as the film reaches back, through, and ultimately forward,
exploring what happened on April 20, 1999.
"We learned to live
together because we were all under the same microscope." - Gus
"I think when you’re
in high school, you just wanna fit in. And this is something that really made
you stand out." - Jaimi
"When did it get
back to normal? It never did. We had to redefine what normal is." - Mr De,
Principal of Columbine High School
"I think the
benefits of people hearing our stories, what a fourteen year old freshman how
they carry that with them, what that looks like. And for me, what a
teacher on that day. It’s not just Columbine an event, it's people, it's
kids and adults that were here." - Kiki (Mr. Leyba), Teacher at Columbine High
School
THE IMPACT
These stories--the
accounts of actual survivors who lived behind and beyond the headlines--need to
be heard.
"We are
Columbine" offers unprecedented access and an insider's perspective on the
healing power of shared stories. Though
each story told is unique, they all share common bonds of tragedy and trauma,
hope and healing, connection and isolation, darkness and light.
"Owning our
story can be hard but not as nearly as difficult as
spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but
not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy -- the
experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to
explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light."
- Brené Brown
Like so many modern
age tragedies, in the hours, weeks, and months that followed, Columbine anguish
made for instant primetime highlights. By the evening of April 20th, students
had a first taste of what would become a well-earned mistrust of how the media
tells personal stories. Their reality far exceeds standard media perceptions,
most often portrayed by screaming headlines and sensational updates on the
“Columbine Massacre.”
HELP US MOVE THIS
FILM TO THE NEXT PHASE
Currently, we are
in post-production and need to raise significant funds (approx. $160,000) in
order to complete the film and get it out into the world.
As a result of 4
years of passionate commitment and uncompensated work contributed by our
creative team, we currently have a solid 100-minute rough cut of the film, a
finished teaser trailer, a website and social media presence. These are all
major accomplishments without an outside budget.
We are chomping at
the bit to finish post-production, in preparation for the film's debut.
Post-production is an expensive stage of the process, one that requires
specific expertise in order to execute successfully. Every penny of the
requested funds raised will go towards this goal. The breakdown of primary
expenses below includes the entire post-production and finishing
process:
Yes, this is a lofty goal. Please know that your donation matters. In the event we do not reach our goal, we have committed to reevaluating the budget in order to move forward with editing and putting out the best product with what we have. However, these are real estimates from the industry for the quality film we want to make.
As soon as the film
is ready, OUR goal is to release it to as wide an audience as possible. We
are committed to sharing these stories and will keep moving forward to increase
visibility and access for this project.
Why?
We believe that a
better understanding of how children/teens respond to trauma is critically
important to our society and is best learned through hearing about first-hand
experiences, rather than through the lens of the media.
Giving voice to how
residents of Columbine--specifically teachers, students and their parents--have
coped since this crisis, while continuing to struggle and to heal, will create
a much-needed shift in the perception of our community by outsiders.
It will also affirm
and give critical visibility to our shared experiences and identity.
Please watch the
trailer and if you would like to see this film progress and be completed, contribute
as you are able.
We are excited for
this next phase in the life of this project.
~ We Are Columbine
READ SOME OF THE
INITIAL RESPONSES FROM ALUMNI:
"... I am
so proud of the way you are re-telling - the right way! - our Columbine story.
Just the trailer moves me to tears. Well done and thank you! Wishing you much
success." - Class of 2002
"I was a freshman at Columbine in 1999 and I was glad to see a movie focus on
this class… where it can be watched. I would love to see it."
"I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for putting together this
film. I am so glad that we can finally tell the world our story first
hand. No media. No filter! Thank you!" –Class of 2002
"I was a sophomore at Columbine when the shooting happened…The trailer captures
a great deal of what I have been living with…"
Can't contribute
financially right now?
No worries...there
are so many ways you can help our cause:
1. Spread the word:
Talk to family and friends about this campaign
2. Share this campaign
on social media
3. Visit and share
our website: WE ARE COLUMBINE FILM
4. Sign-up for our mailing list: HERE