Sam Spady was the picture of pure teenage beauty, with a Cinderella smile and all she needed in life to succeed. Tragically, she died of alcohol poisoning on Sept., 5, 2004. While attending a college house party at Colorado State University, she drank loaded doses of vanilla-flavored vodka and passed out until she finally passed away.
Thinking her story might save lives, members of the Mind, Body and Spirit Section, a part of the community group, "The Residential Life," unified SSU students last Wednesday to showcase Paul Johnson's documentary dedication, "Death by Alcohol: The Sam Spady Story."
Allison Winet, a Residential Life member, thought this story would hit home amongst college students.
"This film specifically is important because alcohol consumption is a reality on our campus and in a lot of college campuses, and to be aware of the signs of alcohol poisoning and how that can deadly affect," said Winet.
Sam Spady's case is just one more story of the alcohol-related deaths in US history. Statistics show thousands of alcohol-related student deaths on campuses nationwide every year. Because statistics don't show that the number of people is on the decrease, death by alcohol has become a repetitive cliché and a vicious circle.
"The Sam Spady Story" is tragic and sadly stereotypical by nature. The documentary made about her life was less dramatic than expected. Paul Johnson's documentary is not saturated with shocking images and emotional songs. "Death by Alcohol: The Sam Spady Story" is simply a noble true story.
Samantha's parents, Patty and Rick Spady, and her childhood friend, Kelly Doyle, told her story. A 911 recording tape is displayed in the beginning of the film, bringing the audience into the heart of the matter. Other historical accounts from witnesses are put together, shaping Johnson's movie as a factual investigation. Sam's bright pictures were part of a dark screenplay, putting forward the heartbreaking signification of her death. The plot is quite informative and uplifting, leaving a straightforward message as a reminder: be a responsible drinker.
Even though directors tend to inhabit a position of objective observers, the message found in this documentary is obviously not neutral. Johnson boiled down 30 minutes of footage, raising a bright stop sign. He clearly warns of young students yearning for new, cool college experiences that consequently end up ruining their lives. The Sam Spady story preaches towards people who dangerously expose themselves to alcohol.
Drinking alcohol in college is more than a fact, but an enduring cultural phenomenon. Johnson's documentary is a commentary on the mediated vision of alcohol in the American society.
Advertisements relayed by interactive social networks, commercials featuring sports and alcohol targeting underage and adult college students and the mentality that sidesteps ethical rules ultimately earns big corporations billions of dollars.
The film highlights the untruthful relation conceived between drinking and attractiveness. "Death by Alcohol: The Sam Spady Story" informs the audience what students buy into is not the drink, but the bubbling symbolism.
Alcohol has created a new form of entertainment; a party cannot be enjoyable without alcohol. Modern representations of alcohol make new generation of consumers forget it is just a fancy and marketed bottle filled full of weakening liquid.
A member of the residential group shared a letter written by Patty Spady, intended for SSU students. Her letter touched upon a hitting concept: when your worst fears in life become your reality. The death of her daughter is certainly real to her, but it's hard to say how real the impact of Sam's video was to SSU students.
An optimistic number of scholars showed up that night and one of them posed the idea that the documentary can only affect a select number of people.
"I think it's helpful, but I also think a lot of people that are drinking a lot won't show up to it because they're kind of wrapped up," said freshman Valeri Alemania.
Even if the documentary can only change the minds of a few studnets, the whole process is worth all of the work.
"Obviously you can't reach every student by watching a documentary. If we can at least have a couple of students take something out of this, that is worthwhile," said Winet.
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