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""Transcending
Shakespeare" |
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Directed by Hank
Rogerson - Written by
Hank Rogerson
Starring Curt Tofteland,
Inmates of Luckett
Correctional Complex
Distributed by
International Film
Circuit - 2006 - 93mins
- Rated NR |
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Richard Propes'
Review
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B+ |
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What does it mean to forgive? |
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Hank Rogerson, writer
and director of "Shakespeare Behind Bars," was quoted as saying "
I was
constantly struggling with questions such as: Should we rehabilitate
criminals? How does art transform the human conscience? Do these men
deserve any chance at recovery? What does it mean to forgive and why
do we do it?
"Shakespeare Behind Bars" is a documentary that takes place inside
Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky. A
medium-security prison designed to house 400 inmates, it instead
houses over 1,000 inmates. The prison offers over 60 programs designed
to prepare its inmates for life on the outside..."Shakespeare Behind
Bars" is one of these programs.
For seven years, an inmate acting ensemble has produced an annual
production of, yes, Shakespeare behind bars. Rogers spent a year
filming such a production, from initial idea to casting through
rehearsals and, finally, through the performances.
If Rogerson were to only film these scenes themselves, "Shakespeare
Behind Bars" would be a powerful film. Rogerson, however, goes behind
the story and into these men's lives. The final result is a
documentary that is both heart-wrenching and challenging. Rogerson
allows the audience to build a relationship with these men, then, with
the utmost dignity and respect he journeys deeper into their hearts,
minds, bodies and souls. We learn about their crimes, indeed, but we
learn so much more.
This year, volunteer director Curt Tofteland chooses "The Tempest" as
their production. "The Tempest" is a powerful play that deals with
forgiveness and redemption. It is a powerful theme on stage, but even
more powerful seen within the context of these men's lives.
For example, Hal is cast as Prospero. In real life, Hal is imprisoned
for the murder of his pregnant wife. The cast is a diverse cast filled
with men who have been in nearly every production along with
newcomers. There is Sammie, an African-American man who oversees a
large data entry project and has been offered a job after his parole
with the sponsoring company.
Perhaps, however, the most challenging inmate is Leonard. Leonard is
as unpopular inside prison as he is outside. Convicted of sexually
molesting seven girls, Leonard has committed a crime that even the
vast majority of prison inmates considers unforgivable. His role as
Antonio brings him face to face with the idea of redemption, and this
same introspection is called forth into each inmate throughout the
production.
"Shakespeare Behind Bars" doesn't minimize the crimes of these men,
but it also refuses steadfastly to define these men by their crimes.
These men are, first and foremost, men...men who have made horrid,
life-changing and seemingly unforgivable choices...but, nevertheless,
they are still men.
When I initially saw "Shakespeare Behind Bars" during the 2005
Heartland Film Festival, I found myself wondering aloud why these men
are, in fact, quite good actors. Then, one day, it occurred to me that
for many "acting" is a way of life. We repress our hurt, our pain, our
insecurities, our rage and even our hopes and dreams. We wear masks
that we might, even for a few moments, be loved. We act out when we,
finally, feel our life slipping away.
As I watched these men acting out "The Tempest," I became acutely
aware that they doing more than just acting out a brilliant work of
Shakespeare. They were acting out their lives, reliving their choices,
rethinking their ideas and, in some cases, becoming real for the very
first time.
"Shakespeare Behind Bars" isn't necessarily a perfect documentary, but
it is a brilliant documentary.
When I first began my Tenderness Tour in 1989, I was an angry, bitter
and hopeless man whose childhood sexual abuse had eaten away at my
soul and left my soul feeling tattered and torn. I started my own
outreach because in my mind it was too late for me. I was damaged
beyond repair, unable to be loved and, quite literally, destroyed.
"Shakespeare Behind Bars" confronts, with grace, the notion of anyone
being beyond redemption. Without ever preaching, Rogerson crafts a
film of tremendous authenticity that dares to imply that there is
hope...always hope. In essence, there is always the option to choose
again no matter how many times we have chosen poorly. It may not
change our consequences, but it can infinitely alter our journey.
The winner of the Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival,
"Shakespeare Behind Bars" was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize
at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. It is scheduled for a limited
theatrical release in Spring 2006. Whether you are able to view
"Shakespeare Behind Bars" in a theatre or you must wait for the
eventual DVD, "Shakespeare Behind Bars" is a film that begs to be
seen. With honesty, authenticity, clarity and simplicity, Hank
Rogerson beautifully brings to life the true story of Shakespeare's
"The Tempest" in the lives of the men of Luckett Correctional Complex
and "Shakespeare Behind Bars." |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
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TC Candler's Comment
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