TEHACHAPI

| 2024 – 92′ – DOCUMENTARY
Written by: JR
Directed by: JR
Official Competition TAFFF 2024.
In English.
A MasterClass release. |

Once again, incisive visual artist JR (Places) captures the world around him and reflects it back to us in a way that transforms lives, mirrors the humanity within us, and literally changes the way we see the world. This time, his joint subject/canvas is the Tehachapi maximum security prison in Southern California. The original idea was simply to photograph a group of inmates from the prison’s Level Four facility – housing its most violent criminals – create a monumental photo collage, and paste it on the ground of the prison courtyard, where it would remain for just a few days. Yet, in the process, so much more happens. Powerful bonds are formed, a sense of dignity is reclaimed, and an open-hearted dialogue begins… revealing the immense transformational power of art and the hope it can instill in everyone involved, from the inmates and their families, to the prison staff, to the viewers of the finished piece and this immensely moving film. It is a rare experience, and confirms the fact, loud and clear, that art is alive and well and truly does have the power to change lives and the world in a very visceral way.

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