Opening Film: Regional Premiere!
AT THE DEATH HOUSE DOOR
Dir. Steve James and Peter Gilbert | USA 2008 | 98min.

IN PERSON: DIRECTOR STEVE JAMES

AT THE DEATH HOUSE DOOR follows the remarkable career journey of Carroll Pickett, who served 15 years as the death house chaplain to the infamous 'Walls' prison unit in Huntsville, Texas. During that time he presided over 95 executions, including the very first lethal injection done anywhere in the world. After each execution, Pickett recorded an audiotape account of that fateful day. The film also tells the story of Carlos De Luna, a convict whose execution bothered Pickett more than any other. Pickett firmly believed the man was innocent, and two Chicago Tribune reporters turn up evidence that strongly suggests he was right.

Join us for a post-screening reception at PLATFORM centre for photographic  and digital arts, free admission with ticket.


 

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Steve James is the award-winning director, producer, and co-editor of Hoop Dreams, which won every major critics award as well as a Peabody and Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in 1995. The film earned James the Directors Guild of America Award and the MTV Movie Award’s “Best New Filmmaker.” James’ next documentary, Stevie, won major festival awards at Sundance, Amsterdam, Yamagata and Philadelphia, and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. The acclaimed feature was released theatrically and landed on a dozen “Top Ten Films of the Year” lists for 2003.