Hot-line movie on suicide

Press, 2 November 1984, Page 11

Hot-line movie on suicide

NZPA staff correspondent Washington

The latest “hot-line movie” on American television is “Silence of the Heart” — a dramatisation of teenage suicide. Hot-line movies are tied to social agencies and groups that viewers can call with their own problems, and sometimes generate thousands of calls. “Silence of the Heart” is based on painstaking research so that it accurately reflects real trends and situations. Suicide is the second greatest cause of

death among young people between 15 and 24, and is becoming increasingly recognised as a serious national problem. The film depicts a 17yearold son of an upper middle class family, outwardly doing well but thrown into depression by bad school marks, rejection by a girl and lack of response from his family. He is shown killing himself — after giving his treasured record collection to his sister — then the film focuses on the reaction of his family and friends.