“Clemency” starring the wonderful Alfre Woodard ran away with the U. S. Grand Jury Prize for Drama. It is the first time that a female African American director has won the honor. Chinonye Chukwu wrote and directed this chilling death row saga.
There have been quite a few award winning death row films over the years and I think that I’ve seen them all. “Angels with Dirty Faces” starring James Cagney, Pat O’Brien and Humphrey Bogart, “I Want to Live” starring Susan Hayward as inmate Barbara Graham, “Dead Man Walking”, Capote’s “In Cold Blood” and “The Green Mile” to name a few.
Chukwu along with Woodard did significant research into the lives of prison wardens responsible for death row inmates and carrying out executions. Her primary motivation in developing this film stems from the 2011 execution of Troy Davis in Georgia. Huge protests from around the world were heard decrying the act due to doubts surrounding his guilt as well as the barbaric nature of capital punishment.
Woodard is magnificent in this very complex and emotional role. I don’t know of any other actress who could deliver such an unsettling performance. I was uncomfortable throughout the film, which given the subject matter is warranted.
The supporting cast is solid as well. They include Wendell Pierce (“The Wire”, “Treme”, and “Suits”) as her husband., Aldis Hodge, as death row inmate Anthony Woods, and Richard Schiff (“West Wing”) as an activist lawyer seeking clemency for death row inmates.
Interestingly, during the director’s intense research for the film she interviewed numerous prison wardens throughout Ohio, and the majority were African American women.
With its big win and recognition at Sundance I am hopeful that this film finds a wide audience. We stood online at 7:30 am to see it! I have to admit that a film about death row is not the best way to start one’s day, but this is an important film about a serious issue. Be on the lookout for it. You will be treated to a stellar performance by Woodard and moved to significant discomfort watching the drama unfold.
