Bang Bang You're Dead (film)

Bang Bang You're Dead is a 2002 American thriller drama television film directed by Guy Ferland and written by William Mastrosimone. It stars Tom Cavanagh, Ben Foster, Randy Harrison, and Janel Moloney. Based on Mastrosimone's 1999 play of the same name, the film is not a direct adaptation; it follows a troubled high school student played by Foster who participates in his school's production of the play while attempting to avoid going down the same path as the play's lead character.

For the 1966 comedy film with the alternative release title "Bang! Bang! You're Dead!", see Our Man in Marrakesh.
Bang Bang You're Dead
Film poster
GenreThriller drama
Based onBang Bang You're Dead
by William Mastrosimone
Written byWilliam Mastrosimone
Directed byGuy Ferland
Starring
Music by
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • William Mastrosimone
  • Norman Stephens
Producers
  • Paul Hellerman
  • Deboragh Gabler
CinematographyRobert Aschmann
EditorJill Savitt
Running time93 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkShowtime
Original release
  • June 7, 2002 (2002-06-07) (SIFF)
  • October 13, 2002 (2002-10-13) (United States)

The film premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival on June 7, 2002, and aired on Showtime on October 13, 2002.

Plot

16-year-old Trevor Adams attends an American high school where he is one of the outcasts harassed and humiliated by the school's jocks. He made a false threat to bomb the school a few months ago, narrowly escaping expulsion. Since then, Trevor has been trying to fit back in to normal high school life. He joined a theater group and has been chosen to star in a school play about school shootings called Bang Bang You're Dead as the main character, Josh. After parents and the community hear of the play and its lead actor, they call for it to be canceled.

But Trevor's theater activity, alone, is not sufficient to let off the steam of his boiling resentment. Using his video camera, he has been documenting bullying at school, creating a "diary of violence".

Trevor and his friends Sean, Mark and Kurt, make plans to storm the school with guns and kill as many of the hated athletes as possible. Trevor meets Jenny, also 16, who stays by him and stands up for him. Through her, Trevor begins to doubt whether the act he plans is right.

In the end, he is the only one to realize that bloodshed only fuels more violence and hatred, and evacuates the school with his art teacher, Mr. Duncan. At the last minute, Trevor prevents bloodshed by overwhelming Kurt, Sean and Mark.

The film ends with the play premiering successfully, despite the initial protests of the students' parents.

Cast

Promotion

The song "Runaway Train" by post-grunge band Oleander was featured in the film. A music video for the song was then shot and incorporated footage from the film. On November 19, 2002 the band released their Runaway Train EP. The film was released on DVD on January 27, 2004 without any special features.[1]

Awards
Year Award Title Recipient Result
2002 Nantucket Film Festival
Audience Award		 Best Feature Guy Ferland
William Mastrosimone		 Won
2003 Peabody Award[2] Area of Excellence Showtime Networks Inc., in association with Viacom Productions Inc., and A Jersey Guys Production
Directors Guild of America Award Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs Guy Ferland
Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Children's Special William Mastrosimone
Norman Stephens
Paul Hellerman
Deboragh Gabler
Outstanding Directing in a Children's Special Guy Ferland
Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special Ben Foster
Outstanding Writing in a Children's Special William Mastrosimone
Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special Tom Cavanagh Nominated

References
  1. Oleander 'Joyride' album MusicRemedy.com (2003) Archived 2008-07-26 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 5-12-09.
  2. 62nd Annual Peabody Awards, May 2003.
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