- Welcome to Independent Lens.
I'm Pete Schwaba, host of PBS Wisconsin's Director's Cut.
Last year, there were more people killed in school shootings
than in the previous two years combined
according to EdWeek.org.
Tonight's film, Bulletproof asks the question,
"What exactly does it mean to be safe in school?"
as it explores fear and the pattern of growing violence
in American education.
The film also investigates
how our fear surrounding school violence
has been monetized
due to growing demand for consumer products
that at least give the illusion that we are safer.
Bulletproof director Todd Chandler
says the film is not about his own personal perspective,
nor is it necessarily character-driven.
But rather, the film shows a stark contrast
of the traditional school activities
like homecoming parades,
basketball practice, and math class
to the modern day realities
of teacher firearm trainings,
metal detector screenings, lockdown drills,
and school safety trade shows.
Chandler has deep roots in education.
He currently teaches at Brooklyn College
and has taught in New York City high schools.
He says the idea for Bulletproof
germinated from the classroom
after he and some of his students
discussed a recent school shooting.
The New York Times
says Chandler's use of vérité observation
demonstrates the eerie divide
between the desire for security
and the extreme measures taken in the name of safety.
Variety Magazine calls Bulletproof,
"A chilling, keenly observational film
"that depicts the day-to-day normalization
of unspeakable acts."
Bulletproof starts now on PBS Wisconsin,
your home for independent film.