Feted film focuses on teen suicide

Filmmaker and actor Gabriel Sunday plays Archie Williams, a 17-year old lonely “media geek” who becomes the most talked about kid in school when he announces that he’s going to kill himself on camera for a class project in the film “My Suicide.”

The film will make its West Coast premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Friday.

“You’re a good student in this class,” Archie’s teacher says, dumbfounded when he announces his plans to the class.

“I understand that. I’ll make the lighting really good,” the teen responds.

Archie’s classmates, teachers and parents variously try to save him or cheer him on in his quest to kill himself, and he films it all.

“We wanted to see what would happen to this media-obsessed, tormented kid if all he did was sit in his room with not a lot of interaction,” said Sunday, who co-wrote the film, played the lead role and spent two years editing the movie.

The film weaves Archie’s documentary footage and animation into the narrative, creating a frenetic, “crazy” aesthetic, Sunday said.

“It’s kind of a fusion of Archie and me; it really looks like this kid was making this movie ever since he was in grade school,” he said.

“My Suicide” has already captured the best feature film prize at the 2009 Berlin International Film Festival’s youth film section and is generating good reviews.

“Newport has always been on the cutting edge of cinema and ‘My Suicide’ is destined to be a much-talked-about and highly award-winning film,” said Gregg Schwenk, Newport Beach Film Festival chief executive.

“My Suicide” is slated to show at the film festival at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Regency Lido Theatre, 3459 Via Lido. For more information, visit www.newportbeachfilmfest.com.

Reporter BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.