Yes, this film certainly brings out the handkerchiefs, but why is everyone so oblivious of how poorly it was made? The editing was really amateurish and hard to watch, and the inserts from the home movies were carelessly edited in and even glib in tone. This film was so maudlin and over-the-top, couldn't the director tone it down a bit? The story was wrenching enough.
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Kurt set off on this project with the intention of making it a home movie. Something to show Zachary when he was old enough. He shot all of his interviews on a TRV camcorder. This was not intended for theatrical distribution. As a result, the quality is very low.
Ace<Sugar '08
Some other perspectives on the editing:
“DEAR ZACHARY is, above all, a virtuoso feat in editing and Kuenne uses the material at his disposal to devastating effect…” – Peter Debruge, Variety
“DEAR ZACHARY is one of the best works of sheer film editing since Oliver Stone seemingly broke the mold in JFK…a furious lightning bolt of reminiscence and outrage that is going to reach into each viewer’s chest and squeeze their heart like a tomato in a vice.” – Erik Childress, efilmcritic.com
“It’s a tour de force of editing and the music is amazing.” – Michael Granberry, Dallas Morning News
“Kuenne expertly edits it into the most dramatic rollercoaster of emotions that I have ever seen…through quick editing, Kuenne introduces you to a myriad of people who love and miss Andrew, but surprisingly, the sea of faces doesn’t weigh you down with the confusion of keeping people straight. He manages to share their thoughts and stories about Andrew in a clear, and easy-to-understand manner.” – Monika Bartyzel, Cinematical
“Defying the stereotype of documentaries as slow-paced, Kuenne moves at a breakneck speed…where many documentarians rely on the long take, he edits together bits and pieces to tell his story for maximum emotional impact.” – Hank Sartin, Time Out Chicago
“Kuenne has a bonanza of footage…and he edits it with an impressive surgical precision.” -- Mark Holcomb, Time Out New York
“DEAR ZACHARY is masterfully put together, as Kuenne splices his exhaustive archive of home movies the two made as teens with photos, the funny and loving stories Bagby's family, friends and colleagues confide to the camera, and the exasperating lack of progress in the case against Bagby's murderer.” – Jenni Miller, Premiere Magazine
More reviews at www.dearzachary.com
Cheers,
Kurt
perfectly stated
shareKurt,
Don't feel you have to respond to pinheads who don't like the film.
My girlfriend and I just finished watching your movie and I use film in my college classes and I can honestly say we are forever changed by what we saw.
Our thoughts are with you and the Bagbys.
-Michael
Its someone offering their opinion How does that make them a pinhead?
shareI agree with the positive reviews. This was a spectacular movie and the editing was perfect.
May God bless and comfort all who were affected by that devil woman.
I cheese sandwich you
bad ass dude. You are the man. Most powerful film I've ever seen.
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Is this really Kurt Kuenne? If that is the case, your documentary was one of the most affecting and life-affirming films I have ever seen. As an amateur documentary filmmaker, the editing was tremendous. Thank you, Kurt.
shareGood job, Kurt. I have to say that I was put off by the editing at first, but that's a relatively minor complaint and maybe even ultimately irrelevant when the heart of of this story is told so emotionally, which most movies ignore. To focus on a technical detail like that, and not the story of real human beings laid bare, would be cold hearted indeed.
Kurt - I just finished watching this amazing film on Netflix. IMO, the editing contributed mightily to the effectiveness of the work. I began the film believing it would be a Hallmark-type tribute to a friend. The pace and editing slowly transform the experience into one worthy of Hitchcock. How many times when watching a movie, does anyone think,"Man, this is some good editing!" But I did think exactly that.
Thank you for making this. I hope it helped David and Kate with their healing process. How lucky you are to know them and to have known Andrew.
I loved this film. Thank you for making it.
shareJust watched the movie and was blown away.
You did a more than awesome job Kurt, you're the definition of a real friend.
I certainly hope Judge Welsh gets what she deserves: disbarred, plain and simple.
Kurt, your film was so powerful and touching. One of the most unforgettable movie experiences of my life! Thanks!
Best of 2012:
http://i.imgur.com/nkbP8FP.jpg
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Yuk! Extremely tacky move, if you are the director.
~.~
I WANT THE TRUTH! http://www.imdb.com/list/ze4EduNaQ-s/
Projecting your own failings in life. Jealousy at its core. You suck and the director made an awesome film.
shareWeirdo.
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I WANT THE TRUTH! http://www.imdb.com/list/ze4EduNaQ-s/
Only thing I found distracting were the loud jarring sounds. Kinda diminished the shock at times
shareI really appreciated your film Kurt, I've seen several films that moved me (Requiem for a Dream, The Passion of the Christ, 12 Years a Slave etc...) but this is possibly the only film I have ever seen that shook me to my core. Best documentary I have ever seen. This will haunt me for days.
shareIt's a beautiful rendering through the aesthetic of the home movie. Judge it based on what it is and what it is aiming for and the merits therein, not some removed idea of what makes a good movie.
shareI'm going to have to completely disagree.
I thought it was very well edited, and only added to how the story developed. I saw it at Slamdance and was just impressed by it as a documentary. While I understand there may be differing opinions, of the people I talked to whom also saw it, no such complaints were made.
I thought it was edited perfectly. It reflects the feelings of the participants as the story unfolds. If we are going to make comments about the aesthetic of the film, sometimes the narration was said too fast, and I missed what was being said because of the speed of it. But even that minor detail took nothing from the film.
shareFor me, if it were presented in a slow and methodical fashion, then I would have had time to stop and think...okay this is where it's going. But Dear Zachary's fast pace works to an advantage to me because I don't get any breaks. Everything just hits you. And to me, that's more effective. I thought it was phenomenal and innovative and just great
shareA movie that will touch the lives of everyone! Considering how low budget the movie was, you can see the true effort made by the writer to capture and bring forth a compelling message for human life. A truely sad and tragic story. My heart goes out to Andrew's family and friends. Andrew and his son Zachery sounded like amazing human beings, who changed and touched many lives. Andrew's parents are two of the most lovely and compassionate beautiful people! Kurt, thanks for sharing your story about your friend..
shareToo bad you have no clue what your talking about. This movie was one of the best put together documentaries I have ever seen and a lot of people agree.
Go back under your bridge.