'Dear Zachary' Reaction: A Message from Director Kurt Kuenne

Are there any releases planned overseas? DVD, theatrical, festivals? Would love to be able to see this film.

Reply

I was absolutely amazed by the film. Happy, sad, utterly pissed off, it definitely affected me and I'm supporting the bail reform.

Reply

I was moved to tears watching this candid documentary.
When my hands weren't covering it, my mouth simply hung open.
It stirred emotions of both joy and saddness. The character accounts of Andrew's life live on.

My head shook back and forth in disbelief for the lack of caring displayed toward David and Kate's losses by the Canadian judicial system. I pray a successful change comes in bail bonding from their efforts to honor Andrew and Zachary.

Thank you, Kurt, for your dedication to beloved friends.

Reply

I am truly amazed at how you captured such wonderful moments of the lives of Andrew and Zachary. I watched the entire documentary in tears because the world lost such a fine man when they lost Dr. Andrew. I was not ready for the shock of Zachary's death at the hands of his own mother. I was sad and angry at the laws that allowed this to happen to this family. Not everyone can say they understand how these wonderful people feel about loosing a son, grandson and friend like Dr. Andrew and his Zachary, but I can see and know when someone is done a terrible injustice. I will be supporting you and the Bragby ifamily in every way possible that is within my capabilities.

Reply

This Doc. moved me to tears..it effected me in so many ways, that i can't remember recently, a time that i cried to the level that this Doc. made me. I had heard countless things about this film, mostly through here, and i was very intrigued. The execution of this film was done from the heart and it showed,( the times you couldn't help but get choked up in the nararration) and because of that this film will shake the heads and hearts of all who watch this. You touched me, and this will always be in my mind. thank you, and god bless.

Reply

This documentary contained so much joy and so much heartbreak. The people involved in Zachary and Andrew's lives were remarkable human beings. I am devastated by how everything turned out.

Excellent film. I hope that it makes a difference.

Reply

This documentary was the ultimate in a rememberance of such a beautiful person, and innocent little boy. I tried to find the email address to the Bagby's to send them a note about the story of their son.

Kate and David are truly blessed to have had such a wonderful son and grandson in their life, and to have endured true hell on earth for so long makes me wonder how they did it. No one should go through what they went through.

What truly disgusted me was the audacity of Shirley Turner, and how she wanted supervised visits for the Bagby's. This woman was so obviously sick and twisted. Why wasn't their an investigation and interview with her x husbands? I am sure that people in her past could have told the courts and social services that this woman was sick and twisted. I just don't understand. I am so disturbed that The Social Service System in Newfoundland did not track the things she did. Why would you leave a child in the hands of a woman who may have killed her boyfriend. I don't care if it was out of the country or not! That child is the most important thing, and they failed, and somehow were looking at the rights of the mother. Does the child not have any protection !!!!!!! The grandparents proved their love for their grandson, and it should have been noted by whomever was there for visitation.

I was so glued to the tv, so upset, crying, yet praying for these two beautiful people who lost their lives, and pray they are together. Meanwhile praying for and blessing the grandparents in hopes they can find peace.

This film, was wonderful. Kurt Kuenne, you should put up a website for the people who were touched by your film, a way for people to directly email the Bagby's , so people can show them the support they need. I wish I knew them. After this film you feel you do. If they are reading this, please know you, your son and grandson are in my prayers, and I pray that Shirley Turner burns in hell - forever.

Reply

One other comment, Kurt, I did not give you credit for this film.
You produced the most touching, tear jerking, heart wrenching, film I have seen. Andrew was so lucky to have such a friend as you, to speak out for him, when he cannot speak, to pull in hearts of others and feel how this woman effected so many lives in this tragedy she caused, and to make viewers feel the sadness this family, and special friends went through. Bless you. Keep up your great work, and know that Andrew is probably by your side smiling.

Reply

It's awesome seeing such an acclaimed director staying so grounded. It really seems like he cares not only about his friend and his friend's family, but also the audience of this film. I hope that some day if I make it as a filmmaker I might meet this director to have an opportunity to express my gratitude for his making such a painfully honest film. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors with all my heart, and I hope this film comes to the attention of the Academy so that he might get the recognition he deserves.

Reply

I DID stay up till two A.M. and watch this movie the other night, and I was so moved...I still cannot find the words. Incredible job, Kurt. Thank you for not only making this film but for taking the time to thank US-which makes the experience so much more personal.

Reply

If you thought this was sad, check out ITIO a Child either at Amazon or http://www.lulu.com/content/2520441 - this one is still going.

Reply

I caught this on MSNBC the other day, after remembering the review I read posted on this site. Really, really well put together documentary with fantastic editing, and strong storytelling. It is definitely one of those stories that you wish didn't need to be told, but I'm glad that, given the reality, the film was made.

Reply

This is WONDERFUL! Bless your heart for giving your friend's son the gift of knowing his father and the truth behind his tragic murder. BRAVO, I cant wait to purchase a copy of my own.

= STANDING OVATION =

Matilda Bawden
www.gracebawden.com

Reply

Dear Kurt Kuenne,
Thank you for responding to me as you have the past few days. I e-mailed and text'd everyone in my address book to watch tonights repeat airing.I have written Canadian Parliment and am sending a donation.I will now request MSNBC air this again,even before the Jan. airing.
I am committed to support Kate and David and you, anyway I can.
There was such an overwhelming amount of screw-ups in the handling of this case. I want to see the police indicted,lawyers disbarred,resignations,civil lawsuits filed on behalf of the Bagbys,investigations...and Judge Gail Welsh never sit the bench again.
..."specific in nature"...!!! Then who are the Bagbys,friends,family.
.."not a danger to the public..."!!! WE ARE the public. The 'angry bitch" has HARMED US ALL. ALL Andrew's patents, friends,family,both present ones and those who would be.Royal Family Health Services=a Royal disgrace.Judges Russell and Green should be sued and de-benched.
Judge Welsh may believe 'the murdering bitch''s anger is over, but the PUBLIC's is just beginning. I'm starting with Judge Gail Welsh!!

Reply

We finally watched the showing on our DVR and are just speechless. Kurt, you have done a marvelous job both eulogizing your friend and presenting a horrifying set of events. I am going to tell everyone about this film.

Reply

Amazing, amazing. I'm still sick to my stomach, but your dedication to your friend and his family was incredible. I feel raw...angry...*(&^'ing pissed off...sad.

Great job.

Reply

I can not recall when a film has had a greater impact on me. IThe events in the film were the last thoughts in my mind before I went to sleep last evening, and were the first thoughts in my mind upon awakening. My heart in broken for Andrew's parents and friends and full of rage at the system that allowed this to happen. I would pray for them, but my belief in prayer and a God who watches our for us has been shaken by these unspeakable events.

Reply

There's not a whole lot that I can say after experiencing (watching doesn't really cover it) this film last night. I will say, though, that I had read the wiki page about Andrew Bagby prior to seeing the movie (When AICN mentioned that the film was airing on MSNBC, I wanted to make sure it was the same story I was thinking of).

Every comment I've read, every review I've read, has encouraged folks to go in un-spoiled. I've got to tell you, I don't know that I could have made it through the airing had I not known where I was going. There was a point, that I would have probably thrown the remote through the TV for the film being so manipulative (I'm not saying it was a bad thing... I'm glad Kuenne gave us the story exactly the way he did).

Kurt, thank you for sharing your story. When you questioned if you should continue this project, I don't think I could have personally gone on. Great work.

Reply