Film: Juvies May 14, 2005

Juvies

Four years ago, high school student Duc Ta was arrested for driving a
car from which a gun was shot. Although no one was injured, and Duc was
not a member of a gang, had no priors, and was 16 years old, he received
a sentence of 35 years to life. From award-winning documentary filmmaker
Leslie Neale (Road to Return) comes a riveting look at a world most of
us will never see: the world of juvenile offenders who are serving
incomprehensibly long prison sentences for crimes they either did not
commit or were only marginally involved in. For two years, Neale taught
a video production class at Los Angeles Central Juvenile Hall to 12
juveniles who were being tried as adults. JUVIES is the product of that
class. The film builds a powerful argument, questioning what in our
American culture has caused us to demonize our youth and allow the
collapse of the juvenile justice system, which has turned its back on
its initial mission to protect young people and now sends over 200,000
kids through the adult system each year. Directed by Leslie Neale; USA
2004; 66 mins.

The Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project and the Michigan Theater proudly
present the Ann Arbor Human Rights Film Festival featuring three
selections from the Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival: JUVIES,
PERSONS OF INTEREST, and SAINTS AND SINNERS. See screening
schedule and film descriptions below.

The festival is a benefit for the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project and
the Michigan Theater. For sponsorship opportunities please contact
Jeremy Merklinger, at (734) 754-0467 or jeremy(at)wrap-up.org .

All films will be shown in the Michigan Theater Screening Room., 603 E.
Liberty, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Regular Michigan Theater ticket prices
will apply. Theater passes will be accepted.