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Teens Heal Trauma Through High School Musical
31 Jan
Summary
- High schoolers produce a musical about a past school shooting.
- The film explores art's healing power for young people.
- Actors and director discuss generational fears of school violence.
The film "Run Amok" tackles the sensitive subject of school shootings through the lens of high school students creating a musical about a tragedy that affected their institution a decade prior. Director NB Mager and stars Molly Ringwald, Patrick Wilson, Margaret Cho, Alyssa Marvin, and Sophia Torres discussed the film's nuanced approach.
Mager explained that the story centers on young people seeking answers and healing, taking matters into their own hands by producing a musical despite potential opposition. Lead star Alyssa Marvin related to the themes, having grown up with normalized lockdown drills.
Patrick Wilson, also a producer, was drawn to the project's portrayal of existential fears facing today's youth. Molly Ringwald added that the material resonated with her as a parent, observing how teenagers grapple with anxieties stemming from school violence, a reality that also affects parents.
