Chichester Cinema at New Park
In The Land Of The Free
The unbelievable story of the “Angola Three”- 3 Black Panthers kept in solitary confinement in Louisiana since the 60’s and framed for the murder of a prison guard and still waiting for release.
A rightly indignant Samuel L. Jackson narrates the unbelievable tale of Black Panthers Herman Wallace, Robert King and Albert Woodfox, who were locked up in the late 60s for misdemeanours and then fitted up for the murder of a prison guard. Since then, the three have been in solitary confinement, with only King now free. Together, they've served more than 100 years in their cells with even the guard's widow pleading for their release.
As one talking head remarks, not even the juntas of China, Iran or Indonesia would mete out such punishment. Yet all of the above is happening right now in the US. Unbelievable. The director Vadim Jean became aware of the Angola Three through his friendship with the late Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop and one of many high-profile campaigners who have taken up the men’s case. As is often the case, he brings an outsider’s freshness and a storyteller’s feel to the film including an attack at the deficiencies of the US justice system, which perhaps deflects the focus from the compelling story at its heart.
This is documentary cinema at its most powerful; arguing honestly and forcefully that, in a country whose Bill Of Rights specifically forbids ‘cruel or unusual punishment’ cases like that of The Angola Three should not exist
Following this screening we hope to welcome, Paolo de Leo, Executive Director of Brightwide and Gordon Roddick to discuss the film and aims of Brightwide.
USA · 2009 · Vadim Jean · 85min
