Documentary Questions

I have watched numerous documentary films in my life that have been very eye-opening, informative, and historical. My sophomore year of high school I took a Social Justice class that challenged many of my views on things such as abortion, death penalty, and gay marriage. My teacher was great at leading open class discussions on ethics and morality, and showing us educational and relatable documentaries about a specific topic. I have seen bits and pieces of others while searching the web, but don't have a specific favorite. 

I chose the documentary "After Innocence" by director Jessica Sanders for many reasons. First, after browsing the choices, this one caught my attention immediately. I have always been interested in the criminal justice system, what prison is like, life after a sentence is served, prison related series or television shows, and the death penalty. I find our system flawed in ways as this documentary was all about men and women being exonerated after serving decades in prison. I think using documentary films will help me as a writer because most are educational which broadens my knowledge on topics I didn't know before watching. It is a form of learning that didn't exist many years ago because most of my reading is done through the internet now. 

I think the documentary "After Innocence" was very well put together, explained, and captured the real-life explanation of life after prison. Even after these men were freed, proven not guilty through DNA testing, they still would have a difficult, far from normal life. From psychological, emotional, physical, and financial problems they were experiencing, it was hard for most of them to even find a job, a place to live, or adapt to their new life. It was amazing to know that there is a foundation out there called "Project Innocence" that helps exonerate and free men and women convicted of a crime they did not commit. It was shocking that it took so many years for these men to prove their innocence, and still remained positive after all that happened to them. As a writer, you have to write how you really feel and stand up for what you believe in. For communicating, it is important I believe to stand up for yourself, listen to others, and trust your gut feeling like the exonerees and their families did. One exoneree said during this documentary, "It breaks your soul, takes your manhood, takes your pride, takes your decency, your respect, because you're actually nothing. All you are is something just locked in a cage everyday."

Heres the link to the documentary "After Innocence"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWyaolBlXVc