OSI Co-Presents Films at Human Rights Watch Festival

The Open Society Institute is co-presenting two films at the 16th annual Human Rights Watch International Film Festival (HRWIFF), which runs from June 11-24, 2004, at Lincoln Center in New York City. A festival program, which includes schedule and ticket information for 28 films from 18 countries, is available to download at the bottom of this page.

The two OSI-linked films are Deadline, by Katy Chevigny and Kristen Johnson, and Juvies, by Soros Justice Media Fellow Leslie Neale. Additional information about each of two films follows below:

Deadline

On the eve of his departure from office in January 2003, Illinois Gov. George Ryan—a longtime conservative Republican and supporter of the death penalty—surprised the nation by commuting the sentences of all 167 prisoners on Illinois death row. With astounding access to special clemency hearings, the death row prisoners, exonerated men and Ryan himself, directors Katy Chevigny and Kirsten Johnson delve directly into the emotional and legal storm surrounding his extraordinary decision.

Co-presented by New York Women in Film & Television and the Open Society Institute.

Saturday, June 12: 6:30 pm
Tuesday, June 15: 3:00 pm
Monday, June 21: 8:45 pm

Juvies

Four years ago, California high school student Duc Ta was arrested for driving a car from which a gun was shot. Although Duc had no prior arrests and was 16 years old, he received a sentence of 35 years to life. From award-winning documentary filmmaker Leslie Neale (Road to Return) comes a film that challenges a collapsed juvenile justice system that has turned its back on its initial mission to protect youth and now sends over 200,000 juveniles through the adult prison system each year. For two years, Neale taught a video production class at Los Angeles Central Juvenile Hall to 12 juveniles being tried as adults. Juvies is the product of that class.

Co-presented by the Gere Foundation, the Open Society Institute, and The Valley, Inc.

Friday, June 11: 3:30 pm
Saturday, June 12: 1:30 pm
Wednesday, June 16: 8:45 pm

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