A Michigan filmmaker’s award-winning documentary exploring the effects of mandatory minimum drug sentencing on his sister’s family will get special screenings in…
A Michigan filmmaker’s award-winning documentary exploring the effects of mandatory minimum drug sentencing on his sister’s family will get special screenings in Lansing and Detroit.
As part of its monthly screening series, Freep Film Festival is presenting two showings of “The Sentence”: a free one in director Rudy Valdez’s Lansing hometown (7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21), and a second at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in Detroit.
The audience award winner for U. S. documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “The Sentence” tells the story of Valdez’s sister, Cindy Shank, a mother of three who received a 15-year mandatory sentence for conspiracy charges related to crimes by her ex-boyfriend. The film’s deeply personal approach tracks Shank’s time away from her family and their attempts to have her sentence convened.
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In addition to the Sundance honor, “The Sentence” was also named the best nonfiction film by a first-time director at this year’s Traverse City Film Festival. The movie will receive its broadcast premiere on HBO at 8 p.m. Oct. 15.
Both Michigan screenings will include appearances by Valdez and members of his family for post-film Q&As. Details:
7 p.m. Friday, Eastern High School, Lansing. The post-film conversation will be led by Andy Callis, Valdez’s former theater instructor at Lansing Community College. This screening is free, but reservation is required through freepfilmfestival.com.
11:30 a.m. Saturday, Marvin and Betty Danto Lecture Hall, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit. Tickets for this screening are $10, and can be purchased at the DIA website, box office or through a link at freepfilmfestival.com.
The screenings are being presented by Freep Film Festival in partnership with Lansing School District, Lansing Public Media Center, the ACLU of Michigan, the Detroit Institute of Arts and HBO Documentary Films.
