On Feb. 14, 2018, a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing 17 students and injuring 17 others. Mass shootings are a tragedy and have unfortunately become a somewhat common occurrence throughout the United States. These events inspire countless news articles, short films, podcasts, documentaries and movies. They often ask questions like “Why did this happen?” and “How could we have stopped this?” They focus on the tragedy. “Us Kids” is not one of those films.
“Us Kids” is the latest documentary by director Kim A. Snyder, American filmmaker and producer. The film isn’t one that focuses on the tragedy, but instead, the hope that rose from it. Snyder hasn’t shied away from the issue of gun violence in the U.S. She previously directed and produced a documentary called “Newtown” in 2016 that focused on the mass shooting in Newtown, CT. Her latest film chronicles the rise of a youth-led movement filmed over the course of 18 months.
“I thought I was done with that issue, but I was really left asking myself the question, ‘How many kids — not just in schools, but throughout the country — are left traumatized in the wake of gun violence? What does that provoke?’” said Snyder.
On that fateful day in February, Snyder was working on a separate project in Tallahassee, FL. She happened to be there with a camera in hand as busloads of students from Parkland were driven up and joined with students throughout northern Florida.
“I really saw the birth of the movement, and I said ‘Something is different here. Something has changed.’ It inspired me to make a film that I really think is about a generation; it’s not about Parkland, it’s not even about guns, it’s about a generation of youth that have grown up or that are coming of age against a background of trauma. I really wanted to stand by those youth and give them that voice to carve out a story that is a transformation from trauma and rage to one that is of action and hope,” said Snyder.
The film follows student activists from Parkland and other areas affected by gun violence in the U.S. as they pull off one of the largest youth protests in American history, visit over 50 cities across the nation and form what would ultimately become the March For Our Lives organization. The documentary takes a beautiful and unique angle, often juxtapositioning the incredible power of the movement that these students created while reminding the viewer that they are just coming of age themselves. It offers viewers a look into what it’s like spearheading a cause based on hope while many had none.
“Us Kids” also tackles other issues pertaining to gun violence, such as racial justice. The group of student activists join up with local organizers in places like Milwaukee and Chicago to spread awareness.
“I think that the students from Parkland understood very early on that a lot of them were from a more privileged white community, and that you can’t talk about guns without talking about racial justice. We know that gun violence and mass shootings are horrible, and deservedly get a lot of attention because of their terrorist nature, but they really only account for less than two or three percent of gun deaths. The majority [of gun violence statistics] disproportionately affect black and brown communities and suicides,” said Snyder.
As a very important election approaches and many of these issues are being brought back to the table, “Us Kids” is aiming to inspire those who can vote to do so, and those for those who can’t, to advocate for others to vote for them.
“I know how easy it is to become demoralized and ask why you should even bother voting, but we all feel it’s critical and very important. You have to think about all the issues. David Hogg said ‘Vote for issues today that won’t get you killed tomorrow.’ When we made the film, it was so much about guns, but that can pertain to COVID-19, it can pertain to climate change, it can pertain to any number of reproductive rights. These are all issues that if you don’t vote, those things can become a lot worse,” said Snyder.
More than anything, “Us Kids” is about empowerment. It shows that young people, who are so often told that they are still too young to make decisions that pertain to their own futures, can make change when even just a few people have hope. Young people are the ones being put into these dangerous situations, which is exactly why they should have a voice at the proverbial table. When you feel powerless, you can still make change, even if you’re not old enough to vote. You can sit down with your family and friends and have those difficult conversations that need to be had about what’s going on around you.
If you are a young person wondering how you can become involved in activism, you should watch this film. If you are an adult wondering why your child or niece or nephew or cousin is anxious, you should watch this film. If you are a person wanting to make change, you should watch this film. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, but most importantly, it will give you hope for the future.
Luckily, this film is coming to Fort Lauderdale this Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Drive-In Cinema at 8 p.m. Tickets can be found and purchased here.
