Suicide is a serious issue among teenagers. It's continually in the news, in movies and other media, and in required classroom reading. When somebody makes the decision to take his or her life, entire communities are affected.

The topic is controversial and sensitive. With recent statistics revealing that it is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 24, suicide impacts many people. Making light of the subject can be viewed as cruel, inhumane or ignorant, but doing it in a way that provides insight and expands understanding could potentially do some good.

Archie's Final Project is a movie that displays insight into a teenager's view of suicide. The film takes an intuitive glance at the complex interactions between popularity, drugs and relationships. The film, originally titled My Suicide, ran the film festival circuit in 2009, receiving praise and awards before its limited release in Los Angeles, New York City and right here in Santa Fe, where it opens Friday at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 1050 Old Pecos Trail.

David Lee Miller directed the film, which stars Gabriel Sunday in the title role. His portrayal of Archie is sarcastic, sardonic and bleak; the character is a high school student whose compounded social failures have led him to become reclusive.

Archie finds solace in video cameras and recording equipment, constantly recording all his interactions using cameras, both hidden and visible. His lack of self-esteem and his unwillingness to care for anyone in his life leads him to the decision to commit suicide — and film it.

He first announces his intentions during a video class, where he states that he plans to use footage of the act for his final project (hence, the film's title). Archie makes it through a gauntlet of social workers, administrators and concerned people who want to dissuade him from killing himself, only to discover a newfound popularity at school that bolsters his intent to end his life.

In the beautiful and popular Sierra Silver (Brooke Nevin), Archie finds a fellow teenager with a similar outlook on life. The pair compare perspectives, share experiences and resolve to end their lives together — after making sure they've done everything they'd wanted to do before their deaths.

The actors successfully serve as human bridges to connect the film's action with the segments of animation that parody different pieces of popular culture.

While the movie doesn't set out to expose great scandal, it does draw attention to problems in American culture, such as bad parenting and desensitization to violence. Archie is so morally indifferent to everything around him, he sees no problem with committing suicide.

People tell Archie, "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem," and that the act will harm more people than he understands. However, it's not until other people become influenced by him that Archie sees the situation from a different perspective.

Archie's Final Project may seem shallow and immature on the surface, but it shines by providing an intensive examination of the issues surrounding teen suicide. David Carradine and Tony Hale also make appearances in the movie, adding some recognition to a cast of fairly unknown actors. More than just an exercise in dark comedy, Archie's Final Project represents a thorough examination of modern life — and death — and the ramifications of one person's decision to do something taboo.

Vaughn Fortier-Shultz is a senior at Santa Fe High School. You can reach him at moosemanxl@gmail.com.