Dear Zachary- A Letter To A Son About His Father ((top)) Jun 2026

The first act of Dear Zachary plays out like a loving, albeit tearful, eulogy. Through Kuenne’s lens, we see Andrew Bagby through the eyes of those who adored him. We see him as a goofy teenager, a dedicated doctor, and a fiercely loyal friend.

This is why the film has become a cult phenomenon, passed from friend to friend with the warning, "You have to watch this, but I’m so sorry." It is a rite of passage for documentary lovers. It is a test of emotional endurance. But more than that, it is a permanent record of two profound truths: that the universe can be monstrously unjust, and that human beings—like Kate and David Bagby—can respond to that injustice not with despair, but with fury, labor, and change.

At its core, "Dear Zachary" is a film about the power of love and the importance of human connection. Through Andrew's story, the documentary highlights the challenges of navigating complex family relationships, the pain of losing a loved one, and the struggle to find meaning in the face of mortality. Dear Zachary- A Letter to a Son About His Father

The film’s final title cards explain the result: "Zachary’s Law" (Bill C-464) was passed in Canada. It amended the Criminal Code to allow a judge to deny bail to a defendant accused of murder if they pose a risk to a child. It is a small, bitter, vital piece of justice. It exists because David and Kathleen Bagby refused to let their grandson’s name be forgotten.

Shortly after her flight, Turner announced she was pregnant with Bagby’s child. Hoping to preserve the memory of his lifelong friend for the future child, filmmaker Kurt Kuenne traveled across the United States and United Kingdom. He collected home videos and interviewed dozens of people who loved Andrew. The original intent of the film was entirely pure: to let a boy named Zachary know who his father was. The first act of Dear Zachary plays out

The documentary also explores the theme of identity and how it is shaped by our relationships with others. Andrew's journey is, in many ways, a journey of self-discovery, as he grapples with his own identity and sense of purpose. Through his experiences, Andrew comes to realize that his relationships with his father and son are fundamental to his sense of self, and that these relationships are what give his life meaning.

Dear Zachary is a masterpiece of radical empathy and radical anger. It is a letter that was never received, turned into a scream that the whole world heard. Watch it once. Remember it forever. This is why the film has become a

Dear Zachary failed. It failed to save Andrew. It failed to save Zachary. It failed to reach its intended recipient. But in that failure, it found a global audience. It became a letter to millions of sons and daughters about the fragility of life and the ferocity of love.