Released in 2006.
Wikipedia summary:
Loren Cass is a feature-length motion picture, directed by 21-year-old independent filmmaker Chris Fuller, about adolescents coming to terms with their lives in St. Petersburg, Florida after the 1996 riots there. The film took ten years to complete.
I just learned of this film’s existence. I checked the website, and the only time it is scheduled to play in this state happens to be tonight through this Thursday, at the Beach Theater in St. Petersburg.
Christine Chubbuck
I found out about the little-known indie feature after reading into the death of Christine Chubbuck, a TV news reporter who took her own life with a loaded revolver during a live newscast on an ABC affiliate in Sarasota in 1974. She was said to have taken issue with the station management’s decision to fill its newscasts with “blood and gore” stories in order to boost ratings.
During the first eight minutes of her program, Chubbuck covered three national news stories and then a local restaurant shooting from the day before. The restaurant was the Beef and Bottle Restaurant at the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport on U.S. 41. The filmreel of the restaurant shooting had jammed and would not run, so Chubbuck shrugged it off and said:
“In keeping with Channel 40’s policy of bringing you the latest in blood and guts, and in living color, you are going to see another first — attempted suicide.”
She drew the revolver and shot herself behind her right ear. Chubbuck fell forward violently and the technical director faded slowly to black. Camera operator Jean Reed later recalled she thought it had been an elaborate prank, and did not realize she had actually shot herself until she saw Chubbuck’s twitching body.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Budd Dwyer
Researching other televised deaths lead me to the 1987 televised death of Pennsylvania’s state Treasurer, Budd Dwyer. Dwyer had been convicted on corruption charges, and was set to face sentencing. Before he was removed from office, he called a press conference to “provide an update on the situation.”
“I thank the good Lord for giving me 49 years of invigorating challenges, stimulating experiences, many happy occasions, and, most of all, the finest wife and child any man could ever desire. Now my life has changed, for no apparent reason. People who call and write are exasperated and feel helpless. They know I’m innocent and want to help. But in this nation, the world’s greatest democracy, there is nothing they can do to prevent me from being punished for a crime they know I did not commit. Some who have called have said that I am a modern day Job. Judge [Malcolm] Muir is also noted for his medieval sentences. I face a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison and a $300,000 fine for being innocent. Judge Muir has already told the press that he, quote, “felt invigorated” when we were found guilty, and that he plans to imprison me as a deterrent to other public officials. But it wouldn’t be a deterrent because every public official who knows me knows that I am innocent; it wouldn’t be a legitimate punishment because I’ve done nothing wrong. Since I’m a victim of political persecution, my prison would simply be an American gulag. I ask those that believe in me to continue to extend friendship and prayer to my family, to work untiringly for the creation of a true justice system here in the United States, and to press on with the efforts to vindicate me, so that my family and their future families are not tainted by this injustice that has been perpetrated on me.”
At this point, Dwyer stopped with his prepared text and called to three of his staffers, giving each an envelope. One of the envelopes contained a suicide note to his wife. The second contained an organ donor card and other related materials. The third contained a letter to Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey, who had taken office only two days before.
After handing out all three envelopes, Dwyer opened a manila envelope and withdrew a .357 Magnum revolver, advising those in the crowd, “Please leave the room if you think this will offend you.” Those in attendance cried out to Dwyer, pleading with him to put the gun down; “Budd, don’t do this!”, “Budd, this is not right!”, and “Budd, listen to me!” can be heard off-screen. Some tried to approach him. “Don’t, don’t, don’t, this will hurt someone,” he warned. Amid the cry of “Budd, Budd, Budd!” Dwyer put the gun barrel into his mouth and pulled the trigger. He collapsed against a wall in a sitting position, blood pouring from his nose and an exit wound at the top of his head, all in front of five television news cameras while witnesses were screaming and using profanity in shock. Dwyer was declared dead at the scene at 11:31 a.m.
(Source: Wikipedia)
The day of the press conference happened to be a snow day in many Pennsylvania public school districts. A good portion of the state’s children witnessed, either live or via repeatedly replayed videotape, the dramatic death of a real human being. Video of Mr. Dwyer’s death is easily found in various places on the internet; I do not recommend that you go looking for it.
Reading into his Wikipedia article a little further, I happened upon a link to the article for Loren Cass. As it happens, at least a portion of the footage of Mr. Dwyer’s death was used in Loren Cass.
And now, I am contemplating a drive to St. Petersburg, but that probably isn’t likely to happen.
