On Aug. 13, 2003, Turner, still fighting extradition, took Zachary to Conception Bay. Kuennes film transforms into a visual letter to the child that Andrew never got to meet. WebDear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is a 2008 American documentary film written, produced, directed, edited, and scored by Kurt Kuenne. The couplingdidnt make sense to Bagbys friends. Well send you all the relevant quizzes, articles, polls, and news you could want to your inbox. Furious about this, Bagby drove Turner to the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport and broke up with her over lunch, sending her on a plane back to Iowa. Were excited to hear from you! In November 1997, Turner confronted him in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and struck him in the jaw with her high-heeled shoe. On 3 November 2001, Turner confessed that she had been lying about her pregnancy in an effort to remain with Bagby permanently. Turner retained custody of all three of her children. Dear Zachary Dear Zachary [10] It was screened at Cinequest Film Festival, South by Southwest, the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, the Sarasota Film Festival, the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, the Calgary International Film Festival, and the Edmonton International Film Festival, among others, before receiving a limited theatrical release in the United States, opening in one city at a time in select metropolitan areas. I wonder how strong a feeling can actually get before it is too much to bear. Dear Zachary, which unfolds chronologically, has not one but two major twists. Kuenne donated all profits from the film to scholarships established in the names of Andrew and Zachary Bagby.[2]. The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures named the film one of the five top documentaries of 2008. Although its hard to watch, its a must-see. Bagbys childhood friend Kenneth Kuenne made the film as a way to document the memories of Andrews life. [2]:494 Turner drowned. A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son.A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son. At times I tried to keep up with the trends but most of the time I found that I was always late to them. I've hesitated to suggest it to a few of my more fragile friends because it is one of those films that can leave you in an emotional funk for days afterward. Your brain hurts. If youre fascinated by the world of true crime, sign up for our newsletter. Dear Zachary For example, at Miami University, I see a lot of girls in sororities wearing similar outfits throughout the day. You reward yourself for studying and consume so much pizza that it actually consumes you. Dressing for you and not for others is easier said than done. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}473050N 525945W / 47.513769N 52.995733W / 47.513769; -52.995733. A 2006 inquiry found serious shortcomings in how the province's social services system handled the case, suggesting that the judges, prosecutors, and child welfare agencies involved were more concerned with presuming Shirley's innocence than with protecting Zachary. In October 2001, Turner obtained a permit to buy a firearm and purchased a Phoenix Arms HP22 handgun and .22 ammunition, which she used during firearms lessons. After themurder, Turner, now accused of killing Andrew, announces she is four months pregnant with Andrews child. [8] David Bagby wrote Dance with the Devil: A Memoir of Murder and Loss, a best-seller in Canada in 2007, about his family's ordeal. A filmmaker decides to memorialize a murdered friend when his friend's ex-girlfriend announces she is expecting his son. You show up to your 8 a.m. final with about three hours of sleep, no coffee and only half of the information you studied readily available in your mind. The conception of Zachary came shortly after this phone call. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is easily one of the most traumatic films I've ever seen. He had been shot five times in the face, the chest, the buttocks, and the back of the head with CCI .22 bullets. After receiving a call from the police department telling her to call a coroner's office, Andrew's mother, Kate, gotknocked around to numerous departments and authorities who told her nothing more than the factthere was "terrible news." According to The New Yorker, the "heart of the [film's] narrative" centers around "Andrew Bagbys life and how horrible his death was for those who loved him.". Before police could apprehend her, Turner moved back to St. Johns, Newfoundland, and her arrest was impeded by a complicated extradition process. Youve finished packing and found out you passed all of your classes! In a later interview with an assessment officer at the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, the supervising physician, in hindsight, described Turner as "a manipulative, guiltless psychopath." These chains still hold me to someone who left a long time ago. Turner's second husband claimed that she only used the belt as a threat in his interview. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, Benefiting off of the fact her student loans. Acting on statements by Simpson and others, the Pennsylvania State Police contacted Turner. But Ive found that these are the clothes that I feel most confident and like myself in. He always had a good taste in music and its no wonder this song was his favorite. However, Turner was later released on bail after a judge ruled she was not a threat to society. decades after the murder of "Dear Zachary" (2008) is Kurt Kuenne's directoral debut, a homage to his murdered friend, addressed to said friend's child. Lists about some of the most shocking and upsetting documentary films & series that you should totally watch anyway. Such was introduced on March 23rd, 2010, and Zacharys Bill was signed into law two years after the release of Kuennes documentary. Despite her claim to have been in bed sick on 5 November, cell phone and Internet records showed that she had made cross-country calls both to and from Latrobe, accessed eBay and Hotmail from Bagby's home computer, and used his home phone to call in sick. When I saw the title, next to a 94 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, I wasnt convinced. What is the French language plot outline for Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)? She could be charming[,] friendly and lively but when caught in an untruth she would become angry, accusatory and loud. Kate was devastated at how the process unfolded. I forget what is and only know what used to be. [6] Turner gave birth to her second daughter on 8 March 1990, one year before she and her second husband separated. Doucet said he was "disappointed" by the verdict, while David Bagby stated that he was happy with the precedent his case would be setting. From a young age, girls are introduced to a culture where they are expected to dress to impress specifically the men around them. Its been so long since I have felt big enough to take up and control my five foot seven figure. Bagbys childhood friend Kenneth Kuenne made the film as a way to document the memories of Andrews life. gathers the fragments of a true crime story about young doctor Andrew Bagby and the terrible events surrounding his death. Shirley Turner, a mother and medical student who played the victim card throughout her life, was not what she seemed - or was she? The following day Doucet received a voicemail from a female caller who stated, "Dr. Turner died last night.". Zachary Magnolia Pictures. But after ordering and returning items multiple times due to feeling uncomfortable in them, I realized that this wasnt my style. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father I wish I could discuss more about the plot line, but that would be sacrificing your open mind. In my lifetime, I have watched a great number of movies like these ones which are really emotional, but the only one that has ever caused me to cry for real was the documentary titled Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, which was released in 2008. In addition, Turnercalled him repeatedly. Bagby arrived at work in an "agitated" state and told Simpson about her appearance but dismissed Simpson's advice to not meet with her in private; Bagby subsequently promised to visit Simpson's house after talking to Turner that evening, but he never showed up. How do you pass that up? [2]:85 During this period, she resumed a previous relationship with a fisherman from Corner Brook. [14] According to filmmaker Kurt Kuenne, Doucet later left Newfoundland and relocated elsewhere in Canada.[15]. The 2008 documentary is directed by Kurt Kuenne, who began filming when his childhood friend They're leaving and you're the last one of the group left at school. Such was introduced on March 23rd, 2010, and Zacharys Bill was signed into law two years after the release of Kuennes documentary. Dear Zachary Turner first purchased her prescription of lorazepam from a St. John's pharmacy. You may even be procrastinating right now while you read this article! 7 Different Types of Legal Defenses In Criminal Law. [10] It premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in January 2008. David remembers uttering, "It's really him," and recalls how the two cried over the body, tears falling on to Andrew's face. While this fraught situation dragged on, Kuenne traveled to the United Kingdom and across the U.S. to interview Bagby's friends and extended family. Markesteyn specifically cited poor communication between social services officials, who worked on the presumption of Turner's innocence throughout the case and became more concerned for her welfare than for Zachary's. Andrew tried to leave Shirley entirely in November 2001. There's no shortage of harrowing documentaries, but Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is one of the most intense. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Released in 2008, the film makes the cut as one of the greatest documentaries of all time. I can tell you this though, it will impact you. During her remedial second residency period in early 2000, Turner missed nine days of her three-month rotation and falsified clinical reports. The Dr. Andrew David Bagby Family Medicine Scholarship is for medical students at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital, and almost four dozen students pursuing Bagby's speciality of family practice have benefited from the award. Turner claimed that she was pregnant by the man, but no evidence was found showing this to be the case. By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies and other technologies. The ultimate tragedy of this story came when Turner, in 2003, jumped into the Atlantic Ocean, holding her one-year-old baby Zachary in her arms. [15], Dear Zachary was released on DVD on February 24, 2009, by Oscilloscope Laboratories. I am sorry I cannot say more about this film without ruining its unique premise. Also in Turner's apartment were MapQuest printouts for road directions to Latrobe. After Canadian mother killed herself and This decision was made with thepublic knowledgethat Turner had attempted to take her life on Andrew's front porch, was on suicide watch in jail, and at the time had eight orders ofrestraint against her. Among those who named it one of the best films of 2008 were Time Out Chicago, The Oregonian, the Times Herald-Record, Slant Magazine, and WGN Radio Chicago. I wonder what its like to be free. Andrews later said that the law "gives [the Bagbys] some sense that someone has heard their cries so this will not happen again, to change the law to make sure something this tragic will never happen again. 10 Haunting Documentaries After the films release, Kuenne sent four hundred copies of. The film is partly composed of home movies Kuenne and Bagby shot together as teenagers in California, and features interviews with Bagby's parents, extended family, friends, classmates, and colleagues, both before and after Zachary's murder. [22] The Dr. Andrew Bagby and son Zachary Bursary Fund supports students at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. [13], On 3 May 2006, a disciplinary board convened by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador found Doucet guilty of professional misconduct for his involvement in helping to post Turner's $75,000 bail. One of Turner's former roommates became so alarmed by Turner's behavior towards her children that heabandoned his tenancy. "There's no point in going on," David saidof their logic at the time. In an attempt to quell Turner, the ex-boyfriend allowed her into hishome, where she camped out for over a month, refusing to leave him. Dear Zachary Road-tripping with your friends? The bill, which helps protect children in relation to bail hearings and custody disputes, was signed into law the following year. On 2 December, the Unit seized her trash and discovered printouts for an ultrasound taken on 29 November, showing a fetus that was conceived with Bagby the previous month. Bagbys parents were forced to give Turner joint custody of Zachary. These incidents left the supervising physician with the impression that: I felt I was being manipulated whenever I spoke with Shirley Turner. Bagby came from Sunnyvale, California, and was the son of Kathleen Daphne Bagby (ne Barnard), a registered nurse and midwife from Chatham, England, United Kingdom; and David Franklin Bagby, an American former United States Navy serviceman and computer engineer. After Turner mademultiple failed attempts to arrangefor the children to reside with differentfamily members, they eventually settled in with their respective fathers. After the murder, Turner, now accused of killing Andrew, announces she is four months pregnant with Andrews child. During a 1999 residency at a family practice in St. John's, Turner's professionalism drew harsh criticism by her supervising physician, who stated she would become "quite hostile, yelling, crying, and accusing me of treating her unfairly." Dear Zachary On 18 August 2003, Zachary was scheduled to be in his mother's custody. Written and directed by Kurt Kuenne, MSNBC Films and Oscilloscope Laboratories released Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father on 31 October 2008. Yes! Backpacking across Europe? The case led to a critical overview of Newfoundland's legal and child welfare systems as well as Canada's bail laws. She even spins. She was arrested in December 2001, but released on bail while her extradition to the United States worked its way through the Canadian courts. Dear Zachary Hear me out. Throughout my time in college, especially studying abroad, I found that I loved jeans, baggy sweaters, my Air Force 1s that I have worn down to the point its crazy, small rings, and dresses. [4] The case led to the passage of Bill C-464, or Zachary's Bill, strengthening the conditions for bail in Canadian courts in cases involving the well-being of children. https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Zachary-Letter-About-Father/dp/B00MB6F3QW She dances, but she does not hear the same song as me. Afterward,hed come over for a beer. Kuenne interviewed numerous relatives, friends, and associates of Andrew Bagby and incorporated their loving remembrances into a film meant to serve as a cinematic scrapbook for the son who would never know his father. [5] Distraught over Zachary's death, and outraged at the Canadian legal system's failure to protect the child, David and Kathleen mounted a campaign to reform the country's bail laws, which they believed had helped allow Turner to kill her child and herself. What could have beena dry analysis ofa broken justice system is instead a deeply touching commentary on love and friendship. I also want to get the Early Bird Books newsletter featuring great deals on ebooks. - Elliot V. Kotek, Moving Pictures Magazine In one of the film's many shocking turns,it's revealed Turner was pregnant with Andrew's child when she took his life, and much of the film follows the efforts of Andrew's parents, Kate and David Bagby, to gain custody of the young child, Zachary. It received critical acclaim, particularly for its editing and emotional weight. When I hear this song, I forget where I am. People We Want to See on a Comedy Central Roast. Despite the evidence gathered, Turner had fled the country by the time authorities obtained a warrant for her arrest. The extradition process was repeatedly prolonged by Turner's lawyers based on legal technicalities, and Turner gave birth to a boy she named Zachary on July 18, 2002. On 12 November 2001, Turner abandoned her residence in Council Bluffs and flew to Toronto, eventually resettling in St. John's with her oldest son. Although it's hard to watch, it's a must-see. Dear Zachary also takes steps to highlight the flaws in the Canadian legal system & Bagbys parents exhausting battle to find justice for their lost son and grandson. The rays of music may salsa on her skin, but they dig deep into mine. If you're looking for an extremely disturbing documentary film, you'll find it on these lists! Horrifying as it was, she pushed it back in herself. [17] On October 23, 2009, MP Scott Andrews of Avalon, moved after attending a screening of the film,[10] introduced Bill C-464 (also known as "Zachary's Bill") to the House of Commons of Canada. Its best not to read up on the case until after youve seenDear Zachary if you want the documentary to work its intensely affecting charm on you. He expressed fear to police of "what Dr. Turner would do next. Jennifer Kustanovich, SUNY Stony Brook5. Maybe it's being told your son was taken from you and then, with no consolation, immediately asking questions as to why he was where he was when he passed? In my lifetime, I have watched a great number of movies like these ones which are really emotional, but the only one that has ever caused me to cry for real was the documentary titled Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, which was released in 2008. The genre of true crime offers viewers a stimulating view of the intricacies of a criminal investigation. [6] Turner's psychiatrist was found guilty of misconduct for helping her post bail,[7] and the director of Newfoundland's child welfare agency resigned. Related: The 13 Best True Crime Documentaries Streaming on Netflix Right Now. Your favorite beach reads and binge-worthy Netflix shows. When I saw the title, next to a 94 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, I wasnt convinced. In short, when it comes to the genre, I know whats up. No shade to them, everyone has their own style that they like and feel confident in. During one of these visits, Turner is believed to have burglarized Bagby's apartment. The two had broken up only two days prior, right before Turner left by plane for Council Bluffs, Iowa. Dear Zachary [4] The Bagbys had to give Zachary back to Turner, but they were able to arrange a visitation schedule. My friend and I were planning on watching the latest episode of "Designated Survivor," however my parents threw a wrench in that when they kicked us out of the family room, where the episode was recorded. I always felt Shirley Turner was putting on a show, as if she were playing the role but had no feeling for her work. However, after Turner took her own life as well as the life of1-year-old Zachary in 2003, Kuenne's focus broadened to tell a largerstory of legal injustice, parenting, and(in the case of Kate and David)activism as a form of grief. I feel my stomach drop like Im on a rollercoaster that only seems to go down. But heres the plot. The staff became "so concerned about Shirley Turner's approach to confrontation and the truth that we would never give her feedback or hold any major discussion [with her] alone." Released in 2008, the film makes the cut as one of the greatest documentaries of all time. The news that Turner was pregnant with Bagby's child turned the extradition case into one involving child custody, and subsequently led to a complicated legal saga. The man contacted the RNC on three occasions to complain about Turner's harassment, which both violated the terms of her bail and was considered grounds to lose custody of Zachary. Although Dear Zachary began as a project that was only intended to be shown to friends and family of Andrew Bagby, owing to the way events unfolded, Kuenne decided to release the film to the general public.[9]. ", On 7 April 1999, Doucet found Turner lying semi-conscious outside of his apartment, having ingested a combined 65 milligrams of over-the-counter drugs in a suicide attempt. The deaths of Andrew Bagby and Zachary Turner became the basis for the 2008 documentary film Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, directed by Kurt Kuenne. There's no shortage of harrowing documentaries, but Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is one of the most intense. However, I truly believe i is something that needs to be experience by everyone and it s something you cannot go into without an open mind. On 4 July 2003, Turner met a young man at a bar in St. John's. 12 Documentaries With Twist Endings. [8] Turner was released from Her Majesty's Penitentiary's Clarenville Correctional Centre for Women, and was required to post CAD$75,000 bail, turn in her passports, pay weekly visits to the RNC, promise not to leave the area, and make no attempt to contact Bagby's family. [2]:101. Were currently seeking writers to join our summer writing program. Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. The ultimate tragedy of this story came when Turner, in 2003, jumped into the Atlantic Ocean. Although it's hard to watch, it's a Need some creative inspiration? A Timeline Of On 4 November 2001, Turner made a total of three phone calls to Bagby's residence in Latrobe. Notall of thememories are positive, of course. Turner, meanwhile, is living as a free woman in Newfoundland. Brittany Morgan, National Writer's Society2. WebTheres no shortage of harrowing documentaries, but Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father is one of the most intense. The documentary Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father gathers the fragments of a true crime story about young doctor Andrew Bagby and the terrible events surrounding his death. Pre-studying study break at Starbucks. Bagby acted in many of Kuenne's amateur movies and, as these films became more professional in quality, he invested in them with some of the money he was saving up for medical school. When the child washed ashore, the man who found them wrapped Zachary in a blanket, forgoing the usual plastic bag, to keep him as far as possible from the unstable, albeit deceased, woman who took his life. Andrew Bagby, a medical student, was murdered by his girlfriend Shirley Jane Turner soon after he ended their stormy relationship in 2001. Since 1982, Turner had taken out baby bonuses for her children from a scholarship fund with the expectation of sending them to university. Shortly after she was arrested, she announced that she was pregnant with his child, whom she named Zachary. The original cut of the documentary had a run time of over two hours and contains numerous other short scenes, most notably a segment in which Kuenne travels to England to interview Andrew's maternal relatives during a wedding. Shouldnt those around us love us for us rather than the clothes we are wearing? I finally understand that heartbreak has a sound. Benefiting off of the fact her student loanswere calculated on the assumption the childrenremained in her custody, Turner often used her family as an excuse for absences during residency. Kelsey mentioned chocolate chip pancakes. [12], Peter Debruge of Variety called the film "a virtuoso feat in editing" and noted: "The way Kuenne presents the material, with an aggressive style that lingers less than a second on most shots, it's impossible not to feel emotionally exhausted. I cannot recall a trainee like Shirley Turner in that her approach lacked personal commitment and her relationships with people seemed, at least to me, to be superficial when compared to the over 400 residents I have supervised during the past 21 years. Turner left her car parked near his home in the Kelligrews area of the town, with photographs of herself and Zachary, as well as a used tampon, on the front seat. I wish I could discuss more about the plot line, but that would be sacrificing your open mind. Not only will you gain valuable writing experience, but youll get to choose your own topics and write one response a week to one of our top trending articles. Last night, I watched the best documentary I have ever seen. The psychiatrist later filed a report with social services, and Turner's children confirmed the allegations. Kuennes documentary instead puts the victim before the crime. [21], In December 2019,[22] a digitally remastered "10th Anniversary Edition" of Dear Zachary was released on DVD and Blu-ray. Sometimes, however, there is no satisfying ending. After mixing her lorazepam into Zachary's baby formula and ingesting a toxic dosage herself, Turner strapped the infant to her chest with her sweater and jumped off a fishing wharf at Foxtrap Marina into the Atlantic Ocean. People We Want to See on a Comedy Central Roast. Dear Zachary is beloved among the true-crime documentary community for being honest, heart-felt, infuriating, and devastating. With many college semesters coming to a close, students find themselves procrastinating. Dear Zachary Andrew told a friend he was going to meet Shirleythe following day to finally end things. The documentarys vulnerability and its uniquemix of joy and sadness remind us that some true crime stories are not just about the perpetratorsthey can also bea moving tribute to their victims. So Kurt set out to make a documentary about his beloved lost friend. Turner insisted that she would earn "big money" after completing her post-residency training and would repay the savings for her children's post-secondary education. Throughout middle school and high school, I played cross country and soccer, leading me to stick with athleisure most days. There arent many documentaries likeDear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father. It is about Kuenne's close friend Andrew Bagby, who was murdered after Bagby ended a relationship with a woman named Shirley Jane Turner. Dear Zachary When this wasn't enough, she traveled to him and verbally abused him. Some of those thoughts included him, without Kate's knowledge, taking out Turner and allowing himself to be imprisoned. It was finally signed into law by Governor-General David Johnston on 16 December 2010. Yes! She informed Bagbyshe forgot to lock the doorand needed to return so she can lock it. In March 1996, Turner began a relationship with a St. John's resident, Miles Doucet, who was thirteen years her junior. He found Turner draped in a black dress and holding a dozen roses, coupled with two letters -one of them a suicide note. After consulting with his parents, Doucet moved to Westtown Township, Pennsylvania, United States in 1998. A senseless crime Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father. The film also received the Special Jury and Audience Awards at the Cinequest Film Festival, was named an Audience Favorite at Hot Docs, received the Audience Awards at the St. Louis International Film Festival and the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, and was named Best Documentary at the Orlando Film Festival.