Song of Parkland

Song of Parkland is a heartrending yet inspiring documentary film released in 2019. The film, directed by Emmy Award winner Amy Shatz, beautifully captures the resilience and spirit of the youth in the face of a devastating tragedy, helping us to better connect with their harrowing journey.

The film highlights the true story of the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's drama department who, along with their indefatigable director Melody Herzfeld, faced the unthinkable violence that gripped their school and nation on February 14, 2018. On this unforgettable day, a tragic school shooting claimed the lives of 17 students and staff. Herzfeld, the veteran drama teacher, was teaching a class when the shooting occurred and successfully managed to keep her 65 students safe during the attack.

However, what sets Song of Parkland apart is not its focus on the horrific shooting per se, but rather the aftermath - the strength of human spirit, the power of unity and compassion, and the incredible role that arts and creativity can play in healing and resilience.

In the wake of the tragedy, the drama students decided to dedicate their annual musical performance to their fallen classmates. Despite the deep trauma and pain they have experienced, the students, with Herzfeld’s guidance, work together to honor their friends and communicate their grief, passion, and determination to ensure their voices are heard across the nation.

Herzfeld is front and center throughout the narrative and the connection she has with her students is truly touching. Her determination to help them through an incredibly challenging time and her belief in the healing power of theater is crucial to the narrative. The film showcases Herzfeld as a beacon of hope and resilience in the dark aftermath of the tragedy, using theater and art as a way to give her students a voice and a platform to express their feelings.

The film not only pays thoughtful homage to the victims of the Parkland shooting, but it also highlights the courage and solidarity of the students who survived. Shatz, the director, magnificently manages to tread softly on this delicate subject matter with dignity and respect, painting a picture of the indomitable spirit of the Parkland community. In their grief, the students turn to their love for performing arts to express their pain and defiance, resulting in an emotional and compelling viewing experience.

What stands out about Song of Parkland is its portrayal of the students' resilience. It is indeed a tribute to the strength and resilience of people, especially young students, and how they can find hope and healing in the darkest moments. The students' journey to production and performance serves as a moving testament to their resolve and bravery. Their decision to speak out through their art is a poignant and significant act, a refusal to be silenced by terror and violence.

Viewers witness herculean strength in the face of tragedy, highlighting the power of art as a means to express sentiments, effect change and heal. Packed with raw emotions, Song of Parkland is a poignant reflection of strength, unity, and hope, capturing the human spirit's endurance faced within a terrifying crisis. The high-energy rehearsal footage of the drama club's work on their musical production provides a striking contrast to the somber recollections of the tragedy.

Overall, Song of Parkland is a touching cinematic journey that wraps up a horrifying incident in a tender narrative of heroism, resilience, and strength. It's a film that honors a community's strength, a teacher's dedication, and students’ incredible bravery. It's a powerful testament to the healing power of art and the strength of a community coming together in the face of unthinkable tragedy.

Song of Parkland proves to be a profound viewing experience that leaves audiences with a lingering sense of admiration for the indomitable spirit of these young students, their compassionate teacher, and the community surrounding them. The film serves as an important reminder of the resilience of human spirit and the power of unity in times of adversity.