WARNING: There are LOTS of spoilers here. I am including them because I think many would like to know about them before deciding whether or not to watch the film--especially those who have themselves have had friends or family murdered.
This is perhaps the hardest documentary you could watch--or at least among the hardest. So, if you don't want to cry or feel depressed, please do NOT watch "Dear Zachary". Now I am NOT saying it's a bad film--it's tremendous--it's just very, very hard to watch in spots--mostly because the film is true.
This documentary was made by a friend of Andrew Bagby (Kurt Kuenne). The purpose of the film was to chronicle the life and death of Andrew in order to let his young son, Zachary, know about the man his father was. That's because Andrew was murdered...murdered by Zachary's unstable and truly evil mother! Andrew was apparently very well-liked as dozens of friends, family and co-workers were interviewed for the film. You learn about his childhood, his time in medical school and his life as a budding young doctor in this film. However, it all came to a head during his residency when he had a brief relationship with another doctor--a lady who turned out to be very dangerous. When he broke up with her, she began stalking and harassing him--and ultimately murdered him and fled to Canada--and the evidence was very clear that she'd done it. There really is no doubt, though like most murderers she claimed to be innocent. Once in Canada, the woman was soon arrested--and was soon awaiting an extradition hearing. In the meantime, Shirley announced that she was pregnant and the baby was Andrew's! Now here is where it gets weird. Now you'd THINK that she'd soon be returned to the US to face trial. However, again and again and again, extradition hearings and pre-trial hearings occurred in the Canadian courts. And, during this period, much of the time Shirley was allowed to be out--without bond!! How long did all this take? Well, after about two years she was STILL out...and retained custody of her young son. Now you'd think having killed the boy's father she'd both be kept in prison AND not have custody....yet the courts seemed completely indifferent. And, in addition, the Canadian child welfare services did nothing...absolutely nothing.
During this lengthy period, Andrew's parents moved to Canada to be near Zachary. During some of the short periods during which Shirley was begin held in jail, they cared for the boy. Once she was released, they were forced to be nice to her in order to even see the child. When it eventually appeared that she would be extradited, Shirley killed herself and Zachary...a final way to curse Andrew's friends and family.
Now the story does not end here. The next twenty minutes or so consisted of discussing the aftermath of this very preventable tragedy. The many OTHER ways that the Canadian system failed were then discussed. Apparently Shirley had a history of stalking, violent behavior and suicidal ideation. Doctor's reports that warned of the final tragedy were completely ignored. Andrew's family went through hell but also decided to make the best of this--becoming advocates for change--as such awful and totally preventable tragedies can be prevented--at least the final chapter in this sick story.
This film earns a 10--not just because the subject matter is so stirring but because of the very creative way in which the film was constructed. The same friend of Andrew's who directed the film also wrote it as well as the music. Additionally, it was obviously a labor of love and must have taken an enormous amount of time to make--and at some great expense. Finally, it's an amazing film because it angers AND advocates for specific changes--something very positive despite the horrible tragedies.
Finally, a few words about my summary. I assume that the reason that the system in Canada worked so horribly was because it's become a huge, lumbering and uncaring bureaucracy--something that clearly needs to be changed. However, I sure COULD see a viewer wondering about any sort of covert animus concerning either the US or extraditions to foreign nations. While it may not be true and I am not a xenophobe, you do wonder what was motivating the judges, the prosecutor and the welfare system. How could they be so disconnected, indifferent and incompetent unless it was, at least in some cases, deliberate? The film NEVER tries to make such a statement but clearly the viewer in many cases will be left wondering what motivated these many people. This legal system sure will make me think twice before I go back to Canada--a country generally seen as safe and very civilized. I'd sure love to hear from others. Is this an isolated case? Are other extraditions handled this poorly? What was the tone in the Canadian press and among Canadians about this particular mishandled case?
This is perhaps the hardest documentary you could watch--or at least among the hardest. So, if you don't want to cry or feel depressed, please do NOT watch "Dear Zachary". Now I am NOT saying it's a bad film--it's tremendous--it's just very, very hard to watch in spots--mostly because the film is true.
This documentary was made by a friend of Andrew Bagby (Kurt Kuenne). The purpose of the film was to chronicle the life and death of Andrew in order to let his young son, Zachary, know about the man his father was. That's because Andrew was murdered...murdered by Zachary's unstable and truly evil mother! Andrew was apparently very well-liked as dozens of friends, family and co-workers were interviewed for the film. You learn about his childhood, his time in medical school and his life as a budding young doctor in this film. However, it all came to a head during his residency when he had a brief relationship with another doctor--a lady who turned out to be very dangerous. When he broke up with her, she began stalking and harassing him--and ultimately murdered him and fled to Canada--and the evidence was very clear that she'd done it. There really is no doubt, though like most murderers she claimed to be innocent. Once in Canada, the woman was soon arrested--and was soon awaiting an extradition hearing. In the meantime, Shirley announced that she was pregnant and the baby was Andrew's! Now here is where it gets weird. Now you'd THINK that she'd soon be returned to the US to face trial. However, again and again and again, extradition hearings and pre-trial hearings occurred in the Canadian courts. And, during this period, much of the time Shirley was allowed to be out--without bond!! How long did all this take? Well, after about two years she was STILL out...and retained custody of her young son. Now you'd think having killed the boy's father she'd both be kept in prison AND not have custody....yet the courts seemed completely indifferent. And, in addition, the Canadian child welfare services did nothing...absolutely nothing.
During this lengthy period, Andrew's parents moved to Canada to be near Zachary. During some of the short periods during which Shirley was begin held in jail, they cared for the boy. Once she was released, they were forced to be nice to her in order to even see the child. When it eventually appeared that she would be extradited, Shirley killed herself and Zachary...a final way to curse Andrew's friends and family.
Now the story does not end here. The next twenty minutes or so consisted of discussing the aftermath of this very preventable tragedy. The many OTHER ways that the Canadian system failed were then discussed. Apparently Shirley had a history of stalking, violent behavior and suicidal ideation. Doctor's reports that warned of the final tragedy were completely ignored. Andrew's family went through hell but also decided to make the best of this--becoming advocates for change--as such awful and totally preventable tragedies can be prevented--at least the final chapter in this sick story.
This film earns a 10--not just because the subject matter is so stirring but because of the very creative way in which the film was constructed. The same friend of Andrew's who directed the film also wrote it as well as the music. Additionally, it was obviously a labor of love and must have taken an enormous amount of time to make--and at some great expense. Finally, it's an amazing film because it angers AND advocates for specific changes--something very positive despite the horrible tragedies.
Finally, a few words about my summary. I assume that the reason that the system in Canada worked so horribly was because it's become a huge, lumbering and uncaring bureaucracy--something that clearly needs to be changed. However, I sure COULD see a viewer wondering about any sort of covert animus concerning either the US or extraditions to foreign nations. While it may not be true and I am not a xenophobe, you do wonder what was motivating the judges, the prosecutor and the welfare system. How could they be so disconnected, indifferent and incompetent unless it was, at least in some cases, deliberate? The film NEVER tries to make such a statement but clearly the viewer in many cases will be left wondering what motivated these many people. This legal system sure will make me think twice before I go back to Canada--a country generally seen as safe and very civilized. I'd sure love to hear from others. Is this an isolated case? Are other extraditions handled this poorly? What was the tone in the Canadian press and among Canadians about this particular mishandled case?