DVD Review: April Showers

NEW VIDEO/INDIEFLIX
Street: May 5
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> Effective portrayal of the Columbine shooting tragedy and its aftermath.

A dramatized, non-exploitive retelling of Colorado’s Columbine High School shootings, April Showers’ release is timed to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the tragedy. Written and directed by Columbine survivor Andrew Robinson, the film focuses on the aftermath in the lives of several students (Kelly Blatz, Daryl Sabara, Janel Parrish) and teachers (Illeana Douglas, Tom Arnold) as they get caught up in the post-massacre media frenzy. April Showers never tries to answer the unanswerable question of “why?,” but rather examines how people can be affected by a tragic upheaval—or driven to possibly create one. The film has been rated R by the MPAA, and though it’s an intense and disturbing piece, there is no sex, swearing or graphic on-screen violence.

Shelf Talk: April Showers began a limited theatrical run on April 24, arriving with a good amount of print, TV and online buzz. A hefty 50% of the first week’s box-office gross and $1 from every subsequent download of the movie will be donated by the filmmaker and IndieFlix to schools and charities that support arts in education.