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Content admonition : This article include give-and-take of baby execution and suicide .
Going beyond the figure of speech of a generic investigative infotainment , Dear Zachary : A Letter to a Father to a Son About His Fatheris deeply personal and frustratingly tragic , and it does n’t have a happy end . The 2008Dear Zacharydocumentary is directed by Kurt Kuenne , who began film when his childhood friend Andrew Bagby enigmatically died in 2001 . While Kuenne ’s research mainly focused on how Andrew ’s x , Shirley Turner , was a prime suspect , matters grow tense when she revealed that she was pregnant with Andrew ’s child , the titular Zachary . What go on next not only shattered the lives of Andrew ’s parents but also the filmmaker of theDear Zacharydocumentary .
The buildup toDear Zachary ’s agonising oddment is still impactful more than a decade after the documentary ’s premiere . Whileseveral honest crime documentaries go too farwith shock absorber value , Kuenne ’s investigatory work and worked up voiceover makeDear Zacharystand out . Andy ’s death and the subsequent chaos at the remnant of theDear Zacharydocumentary discover how a personal tragedy can leave a lasting impact on everyone involve . As well as investigating the ripple effect of trauma , the documentary film ’s inconclusive end also turn it into a large comment on the American and Canadian legal systems .
What Happens In Dear Zachary’s Ending
A Dedicated Movement Emerges To Ensure The Events Of The Dear Zachary Documentary Aren’t Repeated
Ultimately , Dear Zacharyserves as not just an obit for a beloved man , but also a warning …
At the ending ofDear Zachary , Andrew ’s parents , David and Kathleen , fight to get Justice Department for their son , whom they are convinced was shot in cold blood by his ex - lover , Shirley . To make matters worse , after develop out on bond , Shirley realize custody of her Logos , Zachary , eventually choke with the child in a murder - felo-de-se . The final scenes reveal an open - ended ending , implying that Andrew ’s parents and friend will forever stay traumatized by Shirley ’s final act . There are glimmers of promise as David and Kathleen never give up their battle to pressure the Canadian potency for bail law reform .
As Shirley Turner was able to roam free after resettling to Newfoundland , the aftermath of the case also reveals that the Newfoundland Ministry of Justiceadmitted in 2006 that their treatment of her case was inadequate . The conclusion based on the effectual facts and Kuenne ’s own view confirms that respectable legal handling and research into Shirley ’s vicious history could have prevent Zachary ’s death . Ultimately , Dear Zacharyserves as not just an obituary for a beloved military man , but also a word of advice for the authorities to tighten their investigations in case such as these .
There are tons of pop documentary series about famous killers and criminal , but these true - crime shows on lesser - know cases are also worth see .
What Did Andrew’s Parents Do In The End?
Grief And Resilience Push David And Kathleen Forward
Upon hearing the news of Andrew ’s death , David and Kathleen Bagby were fire by sorrow to such an extent that they had even thought of taking their own lives . While Andrew and Zachary ’s deaths continue ghost the couple , they endure in their effectual activism . David even wrote a memoir calledDance with the Devil , which became a bestseller in Canada .
TheDear Zacharydocumentary ’s final frame show David and Kathleen still display a tier of sadness on their faces that will credibly never go forth . With the docudrama ending with a commitment greenback to them , Kuenne follow at directing a meet tribute to Andrew ’s parents and their sound struggles .
Could Zachary’s Death Have Been Avoided?
Retrospect In Dear Zachary Highlights The Mistakes That Were Made
When Kurt Kuenne presents his finding in his documentaryDear Zachary , his voiceover seems to be intentionally fast at times to build tension . This is most obvious toward the end of the film as he talk about howShirley Turner already had multiple criminal chargesagainst her and how Andrew had already kick about her to the constabulary .
These fact become very meaning as the story reach a dark end as they offer a opportunity for the police force ship’s officer to self - reflect on how they could ’ve block up Shirley and how even her court - prescribed head-shrinker — who was later found guilty of actus reus — could have been more rigorous .
Where Did Dear Zachary’s Earnings Go?
The Movie Encourages The Audience To Take Action
Despite the catastrophe of the picture show , the last textual matter sieve ofDear Zacharyoffer some optimism about the big grounds that the team had been endeavour for . The film maker advance the viewers to write to the Canadian Parliament in support of bail reform to reward Andrew and Zachary .
It is also cite that all salary from the documentary would go to charity programs in honor of Andrew , such as theDr . Andrew Bagby and Son Zachary Andrew Memorial Bursaryat the Memorial University of Newfoundland . A website was created for such charitable causes . It is clear how personal and non - commercial a projectDear Zacharyis for Kuenne .
IMDb rank the top 10 best characteristic - length straight crime documentaries in a list that showcases stories that are crucial , agonising and oftentimes dark .
How The Dear Zachary Documentary Changed Canadian Laws
The Movie Added To Its Own Story After Its Release
The termination of the tragically disturbing documentaryDear Zacharydoes not include the influence it has had on actual Canadian constabulary since its discharge provided that impact . However , there have been significant updates to the story since the film was wind up .
The documentary eventually succeeded in putting enough pressure on the Canadian Parliament to introduce a government note in 2009 . Canadian MP Scott Andrews was so be active byDear Zacharythat he drafted and movedBill - C464 , also known as “ Zachary ’s Bill,“the objective of which was to provide more efficient trade protection to child involved in bond hearings and custody battles . The bill was signed into legal philosophy in 2010 .
Dear Zachary’s Letter Format Explained
The Intention Of The Format Changed With The Tragic Outcome
As is manifest from the statute title , Dear Zacharyplays out as a move letter . With Kuenne address the film ’s event directly to Zachary in the tale , the documentary becomes an epistolary work .
However , it ’s interesting how the documentary cross the exchange nature of Kuenne ’s research , which is also reflect in the change of recital . In the beginning , viewers try the film director direct the docudrama to Andrew as he attempts to know more about his friend ’s adulthood . But with new finding like the custody dispute over Zachary and his death , the end product becomesa letter that Kuenne would have given to Zacharyif he were still live .
How The Ending Of Dear Zachary Was Received
The Documentary Was Compared To A Thriller
Thoughdocumentaries are intend to informand educate their audience , to encourage understanding about dissimilar topic , one of the large complaint about documentary film is that they can be very dry . There is a inclination for documentaries to impart fact without allowing the audience to emotionally connect with them in the way they might with the techniques employed to evidence a fictional story . That is not the causa here . Critics praised the direction of the docudrama for come along more like a thriller , allowing the audience to remain engaged with the information right up until the comparatively undecided ending .
The New York Suncalled Dear Zachary , “ one of the most mind - blowing unfeigned - law-breaking movies in late computer memory , ” and summons the tendency to “ borrow[s ] some narrative dramatic magic trick ” as the reasonableness for its achiever . Like many other critics , theNew York Sunalso compared the documentary to a thriller , suppose it :
… has so many unexpected growing that it spiel like a first - pace thriller . … and the motion picture is so unsettling that it will detain with viewers for a long fourth dimension .
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Varietyalso praised the redaction of the documentary as a way to emotionally engage the consultation . According to the publication :
The way Kuenne presents the fabric , with an aggressive style that lingers less than a second on most guess , it ’s impossible not to feel emotionally exhausted .
The connection so many felt to the account of Zachary and his father is likely why , even long after bills were signed into motion , Keunne made a follow - up documentary . Though the documentary is short , it takes the audience behind the scenes of making the original documentary and see the process through of actually changing Canadian jurisprudence . It is currently useable to see for freeon Kuenne ’s YouTube channel .
The expert true offense books coruscate , fascinate , and address to the dark heart of humankind , with many being adapted into flick and television shows .
The Real Meaning of Dear Zachary’s Ending
The Dear Zachary Documentary Is A Tribute Rather Than An Investigation
Andrew Bagby and his influence on people will never be forget .
alas , by the end ofDear Zachary , nothing is entirely resolved , as Shirley Turner has taken her own life to evade the law . Andrew and Zachary can never fall back , despite David and Kathleen ’s continued fight for their memory and bequest . Still , the end comes on a semisweet note , and in an age that isobsessed with true - offence substance , itcontinues to be impactful .
Political consequences apart , Kurt Kuenne ’s interviews with family unit and admirer also revealhow touched they all had been by Andrew . Thanks toDear Zachary : A Letter to a Son About His Father , Andrew Bagby and his influence on the great unwashed will never be forgotten .
