Last night Kelli and myself took in the documentary “In Prison My Whole Life” playing at Sundance. This doc revolves around death-row journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal and William Francome. Mumia was arrested on the day Francome was born (Hence the title)…and so he sets off on a journey to find out about the man who has been in prison “My Whole Life”. For myself, I’ve known about Mumia but didn’t really know anything about particulars of his case.
Mumia was convicted or murdering a white Philadelphia Police Officer in 1982 by a racially mixed who subsequently would also sentence him to death. His appeals have largely failed, however his death sentence was overturned in 2001, which led to both sides to appeal the verdict. As of now, the appeals process creeks on ever so slowly.
Marc Evans and William Francome have constructed a compelling argument in documentary form not that Mumia Abu-Jamal is necessary innocent of all his charges but rather just that the trial was unfair. It perhaps isn’t the most balanced documentary but it wears it’s heart on its sleeve and remains a fascinating watch.
“In Prison My Whole Life” works on a number of levels and grows beyond what happened to one man, becoming a critique of the judicial system, capital punishment, and racism in the United States.
3 out of 5!
Peace-DAG
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