What is the premise of the film 'Run Amok'?

'Run Amok' is about a student named Meg who creates a musical to process the grief and trauma of a school shooting that occurred ten years prior.

Who supports Meg's idea for the school musical?

An empathetic teacher, Mr. Shelby, supports Meg's endeavor as a therapeutic exercise, while some students also show enthusiasm for the project.

What challenges does the film 'Run Amok' present regarding its subject matter?

The film highlights generational differences in confronting trauma, with some opposition from the principal, and attempts to blend dark comedy with the grim reality of school shootings, which occasionally affects tonal consistency.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Teen Musical Tackles School Shooting Trauma

Teen Musical Tackles School Shooting Trauma

26 Jan

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Summary

A student creates a musical about a past school shooting.
The film explores grief and the healing power of art.
It showcases a generational divide in confronting trauma.

Teen Musical Tackles School Shooting Trauma

Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, the film 'Run Amok' (a title criticized for its disconnect with the subject matter) delves into the sensitive topic of high school shootings. The narrative follows Meg, a resilient student still mourning the loss of her mother and classmates from a shooting ten years prior. Meg's unconventional idea to create a musical dramatizing the event is met with mixed reactions, sparking conversation about confronting trauma.

An empathetic teacher, Mr. Shelby, supports Meg's endeavor as a therapeutic exercise for students navigating a persistent reality. While some students embrace the project with enthusiasm, Principal Linda vehemently opposes it, demanding a return to a more innocuous production. This conflict underscores the generational differences in processing grief and the film's central theme of youthful directness versus adult evasion.

Filmmaker NB Mager's debut feature is praised for its bold concept and its potential to ignite necessary discussions. The film attempts to blend dark comedy with the grim reality of school shootings, though it occasionally struggles with tonal consistency. Despite its flaws, 'Run Amok' ultimately revolves around Meg's passionate quest for closure, offering a poignant and pertinent look at healing.