Former Duke students documentary on prison system, Solitary, airs Monday on HBO
Kristi Jacobson was a Duke student interning at North Carolina’s juvenile court system when she had what she refers to as “an epiphany.” She was suppoed to write a paper about her experience, but “realized I was driven to bring this story to life in the most powerful way, and that’s what film does.”
Jacobson had absolutely no filmmaking experience. But after graduating from Duke with a degree in sociology she moved to New York and got an internship with a film production company. Then she nabbed an associate producer gig with two-time Oscar winner Barbara Kopple (“Harlan County U.S.A.”), who taught her that the key to being a successful documentary filmmaker meant learning to “listen, observe, and allow yourself to find the story. Connect with people – whether with the crew, or the people I’m filming or pitching.”
Since then, Jacobson has made films about hunger in America, the role of unions in contemporary times and the story of her grandfather, legendary New York saloonkeeper Toots Shor. Five years ago she read an article in the New Yorker about solitary confinement that piqued her interest because “it was incredibly descriptive, and there was something visual and cinematic about the piece. This appeared to be a human rights issue, and I felt I had to bring this to the attention of the American people.”
Read more here:
http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article130924304.html#storylink=cpy
Not sure if anyone saw this. Looks like it might be good. I will try to watch it when I can.