In a year dominated by civil rights issues, global authoritarianism, and the targeting of minorities, it’s no surprise that the Sundance Film Festival lineup is filled with films exploring the U.S. criminal justice system.
Filmmakers such as Richard Linklater, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Debra Granik, and Yance Ford are shedding light on the inequalities and injustices within the system. Their films paint a devastating and sometimes hopeful picture of contemporary policing, criminal trials, incarceration, and rehabilitation.
Richard Linklater’s “God Save Texas: Hometown Prison”
Richard Linklater’s “God Save Texas: Hometown Prison” is the first installment in a documentary trilogy about his home state. Inspired by Lawrence Wright’s book “God Save Texas,” the film delves into the prison system in Huntsville, Linklater’s hometown. Huntsville is known as the unofficial capital of Texas’ prison system, with the highest number of executions in the state. Linklater explores the humanitarian crisis created by the system, affecting not only those being executed but also the people involved in it. The film premieres in Park City on January 23 and will be available on HBO and Max in late February.
Chiwetel Ejiofor’s “Rob Peace”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, known for his role in “12 Years a Slave,” presents his sophomore feature as a writer/director, “Rob Peace.” The film is an adaptation of Jeff Hobbs’ biography “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace” and tells the true story of a poor Black prodigy who attends Yale but turns to drug dealing to help his father, who has been wrongfully convicted of a double murder. Ejiofor examines the impact of the criminal justice system on families and questions whether it can serve Black communities better. The film premieres on January 22.
Debra Granik’s “Conbody VS Everybody”
Debra Granik’s multipart documentary “Conbody VS Everybody” follows a group of ex-convicts who find success as fitness instructors. The film highlights the challenges faced by parolees when reintegrating into society. Granik uncovers the root causes of incarceration, emphasizing the impact of poverty and lack of access to resources. The profiteering from the carceral system shocks Granik, who compares it to a dystopian reality. Two episodes of the documentary debut on January 23.
Yance Ford’s “Power”
Yance Ford’s documentary “Power” takes a personal and academic approach to examining the criminal justice system. Ford, who grew up in a town with numerous prisons, experienced the devastating effects firsthand. His interest in the system was sparked by his brother’s murder case, which was mishandled by police and an all-white grand jury. In “Power,” Ford explores the role of policing in American life and how underserved communities rely solely on the police for support. The film premiered on January 18 and will be released on Netflix between mid-May and early June.
J.M. Harper’s “As We Speak”
J.M. Harper’s documentary “As We Speak” focuses on the fairness of criminal trials. Inspired by Erik Nielson and Andrea L. Dennis’ book “Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America,” the film investigates how rap lyrics are used as evidence against suspects, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds. Harper sheds light on the inequities within the court system, where country lyrics and fictionalized crime books are rarely brought into evidence. The film premieres on January 22.
These films, along with others at the festival, aim to raise awareness about the flaws and challenges within the criminal justice system. Some of them will even launch audience action campaigns to drive real change. As the conversation surrounding the system continues, one thing remains clear: the pursuit of justice is an ongoing battle.
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