Discussion Guide for The Sound I Saw

The following are questions that can be used in guiding a discussion about the film The Sound I Saw:

1. As a viewer, who did you side with—the driver, the woman, the kids? Why?
2. Was the accident avoidable? If so, by whom?
3. Did any of the adults actually see the accident? Did you?
4. If none of the adults saw the moment of impact, why are they all so certain about what they think they saw?
5. What is it about the sound of such an impact that makes people assume they know what happened?
6. Should a child be considered as credible a witness as an adult?
7. If the two boys weren’t such close friends, would the pressure be as great to tell the truth?
8. What is the most important moment of truth—the impact…the immediate aftermath…the accusations…the police response…other?
9. In the heat of such a moment, is it really possible not to act on snap judgments and preconceived notions?
10. If you were in the same position as the woman, what would you do?