THE TRIALS OF DARRYL HUNT, A REVOLVING DOOR: Contemporary Documentaries
by Andre Soares
Marilyn Braverman’s short subject A Revolving Door and Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg’s feature The Trials of Darryl Hunt (above) will be screened as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences‘ 26th annual "Contemporary Documentaries" series on Wednesday, October 10, at 7 p.m. at the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Admission is free.
A Revolving Door (right) tells the story of 33-year-old Tommy Lennon, a bipolar and delusional man beset by manic episodes possibly resulting from a head injury suffered when he was 17. Even though Lennon is stuck in an ongoing cycle of homelessness, drug abuse, institutionalizations, and imprisonment, his parents refused to give up on him. A Revolving Door was produced by Chuck Braverman.
The Trials of Darryl Hunt recounts the case of a black man who was incarcerated for a brutal rape and murder, despite the lack of any physical evidence linking him to the crime. Darryl Hunt spent 10 years in jail in North Carolina before DNA testing provided proof of innocence, and an additional 10 years fighting for his freedom. Making use of personal narratives and exclusive footage, The Trials of Darryl Hunt places Hunt’s judicial fate within the context of class and racial prejudices in the American South.
"In Stern and Sundberg’s hands," writes Jim Hemphill at Reel.com, "this material serves as the basis for a modern morality tale worthy of Frank Capra — like that director’s best films, The Trials of Darryl Hunt looks deep into the abyss of human self-interest and mob rule but comes to an authentically life-affirming conclusion. It’s an impressive achievement."
The Trials of Darryl Hunt was produced by Stern, Sundberg, Katie Brown, and William Rexter II.
The first part of the series comprises 13 feature-length and short documentaries that will screen on Wednesday evenings through November 28, and includes several of the 2006 Academy Award-nominated films as well as other documentaries considered by the Academy that year. The series will resume in March 2008 and continue through June.
The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. All seating is unreserved. Free parking is available through the entrance on Homewood Avenue (one block north of Fountain Avenue). For additional information, visit www.oscars.org or call (310) 247-3600.
Photos: Braverman Productions, Inc. (A Revolving Door), HBO Documentary Films (The Trials of Darryl Hunt)
THE JAZZ SINGER: 80th Anniversary
CLOSE HARMONY and GENOCIDE: Oscar’s Docs
Costa-Gavras to Receive USC’s Eisenstein Award
CARRIE: Monday Nights with Oscar
KARL HESS, FROM MAO TO MOZART: Oscar Docs
GOSSAMER CONDOR, PAUL ROBESON, BEST BOY: Oscar Docs
WOODSTOCK: Monday Nights with Oscar
HOWARDS END: Great To Be Nominated
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER: Monday Nights with Oscar
Comments
One Response to “THE TRIALS OF DARRYL HUNT, A REVOLVING DOOR: Contemporary Documentaries”
Leave a Reply
Note: All comments are moderated. Different views and opinions are welcome, but abusive/bigoted/flaming comments will NOT be approved. Also, please be aware that the Alternative Film Guide has NO contact information for the talent mentioned in this blog or any information pertaining to or access to distributors'/producers' film prints.
The Trials of Darryl Hunt is an EXCELLENT documentary. Highly recommended. Truly a MUST-SEE.