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Show C-3 The Park Record Wed/Thurs/Fri, January 5-7,2005 Sundance 5 "After Innocence' brings justice to film Proudly presents the Justina McGaffrey Trunk Show Film chronicles the stories of innocent death-row inmates January 7th & 8th 10am to 5pm ^^B '* ' wJSf " \ ^H Tv' • J^/m Bv Appointment ^ . ' • 801-566-1100 By JANA MCQUAY Record Guest Writer Filmmaker Jessica Sanders, nominated for an Academy Award in 2002 for her short documentary, "Sing!" has helmed another compelling film. This time, a full-length feature, "After Innocence." Sanders offers an intimate take on the production, which is competing in the Documentary Competition at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. "After Innocence" captures the perspectives of seven exonerated men who spent decades in prison for crimes they did not commit. In all cases, the results of later DNA tests were used as evidence to prove their innocence. The climax of their prison release, "five minutes of glory," is short-lived as these men struggle to repair the damage incurred in the past and overcome roadblocks that thwart their assimilation back into mainstream life. "They are rarely compensated," Sanders told The Park Record. "Not even given an apology." Sanders chronicles their stories of financial destitution, familial destruction, lingering effects of shame and humiliation and of an uphill battle to secure employment and go on with their lives. "The one great thing about these people is that they all have a sense of something larger than themselves," she said. "They want to prevent that from happening to someone else." Sanders, along with those featured in the film, hopes to foster an awareness of the flaws in todays criminal justice system and forge the enactment of compensation legislation for all exonerees. Financing of the two-yearfilmmaking venture was initially bolstered by grants and individual donations. Showtime arrived later to fund the remainder of the project. "I definitely was in debt for a lot of the production," Sanders added. "But it was worth it." The documentary is produced and written by Sanders and Marc Simon, an attorney. As a law student, Simon was involved with the Innocence Project, BRIDAL BOUTIQUE 6775 South 900 East Salt Lake City "^ • - ' ^HH Visit our website for detailed Event and Designer information www.sevcnoaksbridal.coni Park City Performing Arts Foundation Presents PHOTO BY LAUREN COHEN Filmmaker Jessica Sanders interviews Nick Yarris who spent 23 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. Yarris was released when DNA evidence proved his innocence. founded about 10 years ago during the early use of DNA technology. Deemed "angels" in the eyes of Sanders, these valiant attorneys involved with the Innocence Project pursue DNA tests to unravel evidence for the sole purpose of exonerating innocent prisoners incarcerated for such crimes as rape and murder. "The other side of the film covers the attorneys who work on behalf of these people in prison," she said. "These people who have been in prison, some for more than 20 years with no one helping." About 80 percent of the exonerations were attributed to mistaken eyewitness identifications, said Sanders, adding that eyewitness testimony is one of the most unreliable sources of evidence used to convict a suspect. Exonerees featured in the fi lm include Dennis Maher, Scott HornofF, Wilton Dedge, Herman Atkins, Nick Yarris, Calvin Willis and Vincent Moto. Yarris, who endured 23 years on death row for a murder he did not commit, came on board, by surprise, during production. While Moto was being filmed, he received a phone call from Yarris. "We ended up following Nick, who's a great character in the film as well," Sanders said. 'That's the cool thing about filming a documentary. You can be open to spontaneous moments and encounters." The majority of wrongfully convicted prisoners, who are freed as a result of DNA tests, come from middle class economic backgrounds and can't afford better legal representation. Moto was imprisoned for more than 10 years. His family spent their entire savings of SI50,000 to pay for legal fees to get him out. "He was accused of a rape he did not commit," said Sanders. "He had two children who grew up without a father. They have been deeply affected by this. Now that he's out, he still has the conviction on his record." The fact that erroneous convictions are not always expunged from their records also makes it difficult for them to find jobs. The process of clearing their records often involves the expense of hiring an attorney, Sanders added, which isn't likely when exonerees can't find work and often end up living on welfare. Despite the tragic nature of the subject matter, Sanders professed that making the film had actually been uplifting. "To meet these amazing people who get through this experience and remain positive," she said. "I think they are inspirational." JJ:30 a.m. Pmspector Square Theatre Sun., Jan. 23 % Brer Rabbit & Boss Lion" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" Classic tales, beautiful illustrations, narration and music... Story time in high definition film. Saturday, January 8 Screening Times Sat., Jan. 22 Rabbit Ears Films for Kids Films at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. 10p.m. Holiday Village Cinema IV Tues.. Jan. 25 9p.m. j Broadu m' Centre Cinemas IV f SIC fVed.Jan.26 12:15 p.m. Holiday Ullage Cinema III Friday, Jan. 28 4p.m. Holiday Village Cinema IV Tickets: $2 for children <& $5 for adults ' 435-655-3114 The Eccles Center is located at 1750 Kearns Blvd. THE ECCLES CENTER. M r t r-i U of wee ARIES (March 20 - April 19) The more you can experience the better. At the moment, you're enthralled with the whole wide world. You're open to learning, studying, or teaching what you already Know. This is not to say that you want to sit around with your nose in a book.' You want to discover by doing. After all, you are the ready-set-go action sign. Meanwhile, the challenge for the next couple of weeks is to make career strides while your personal life is demanding a significant amount of attention. Hmm. Have you considered getting yourself cloned? Ja n u 3 may walk away from the table with a pocketful of winnings. Monday is your day to structure and plan out your exercise regime for 2005. Okay, that's a handtul. How about for the next month? Whatever the time frame, this is the right day to set out your goals. Meanwhile, if promoting o f one of your grand Ideas hits a snajL don't panic It's a temporary setback. You know you're meant for greatness. Itjs list that it may take the world a bit onger to eaten on. I VIRGO (August 23 - September 22) It's one of those weeks when you may feel like saying "I love my family, but sometimes they drive me TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) Things are intense - especially on crazy." Fortunately, you don't Friday & Saturday. Your desires are voice this out loud, because you overwhelming. And, for some of know what sort of battles could you (you know who you are), your erupt - especially if one of your thoughts turn lusty on a regular family members is an Aries. Hang basis. If youVe made travel plans in there. By Monday, there's a for this week, you may find your change in emphasis/ as you stop boss has other ideas for your time. considering domestic issues and In order to go where you want start considering romantic ones. If without causing turmoil on the job, you're not attached, look for a flexibility is required. Depending casual affair with someone who upon your situation, you could: A) makes you laugh. If you're already make a deal with a coworker to involved, make some changes in cover for vou; B) convince the your relationship. Do something company mat you have a strong • crazy & unpredictable. You'll botn lead on a customer or client in love i t Trust me. Negril; or Q arrange to be l a d napped1, leaving a ransom note LIBRA (September 23 - October demanding immediate paid vaca- 22) tion time. Although you do like tranquility, you're not in the mood for it this GEMINI (May 21 -June 20) weekend. You want lots of interIf it can go wrong, it probably will. action. You wouldn't even mind Murphy must have been having a having a fight with your sweetie as lot of planetary oppositions when long as you know a passionate he declared his law. No matter make-up session is the end result what you try to accomplish on After Sunday, you're tired of going Friday & Saturday, it's harder than out & you simply want to stay usual. But, you can count on your home. Why, you might even feel sense of humor to Ret you through like coofdng... or not That's why with only minor frustrations. By they invented delivery pizza. Just Monday, your ruler (Clever so you'd have a choice. Of course, Mercury) has left the light-hearted with you indecisive types, "a sign of Sagittarius & entered the choice" may not always be a good serious sign of Capricorn. thing. Well, there's always Remember those New Year's reso- DiGiomo. lutions you composed & immediately forgot about? Well, it's time SCORPIO (October 23 to buckle down & work on them. I November 21) mean NOW, Gem. Mine, mine, mine. So many planets in your house of belongings this weekend, they're bound To make CANCER dune 21 -July 21) Schedule your serious business you feel a bit possessive. It is stuff for Thursday when everything important, however, that you is calm. Friday & Saturday are remember that you cant "own" days when life is upbeat, busy & peppfe( only things. Your relationbustling. There's more socializing ship will work put much better if than working on the job; more you keep that in mind. Monday is chatting than exercising at the a great day to sign up for a class or gym; ana more appetite tor eating a conference. Tor the next few out than cooking at home. By weeks( vour curiosity will need to Monday, there are 4 celestial ener- be satisfied by finding answers to gies opposing your sign. Vmiir* You're many questions. If you're an invesnkely to take mis personally, so be tigative reporter, you're in luck. If prepared for one of your infamous you work for the Bush administramood swings into the gloomy tion, you're in trouble. abyss. Pretend it's contagious and stay home.... alone. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 December 20) LEO (July 22-August 22) Have any leftover bubbly? The Rnd yourself a friendly poker game holidays may be over, but the planon Friday or Saturday. You just ets are still having a party in your 6 ZO sign through most of the weekend. By Monday, the emphasis changes to making money - perhaps because you must rind a way to pay for all that champagne you charged on your Visa. In any event you have bright & creative ideas. Why not finaa way to capitalize on mem? Write a nonfiction book - one that teaches or inspires. Hey. Perhaps your ruler (Lucky Jupiter) can help you get it published. If you write it, Amazon will sell i t Isnt optimism a wonderful thing? CAPRICORN (December 21 January 20) Hey. It's your birthday month, & rf you want to stay in bed all morning, go ahead. The truth is that your dreams are simply amazing & that's a eood reason for sleeping late. On Sunday, the Emotive Moon. Clever Mercury, and Lovable Venus join the Playful Sun in your personality house. At this point, get out of bed, because real life is likely to be as exciting as your dreams. (Except there probably won't be any major movie stars taking you out dancing.) Monday's New Moon in Capricorn provides an opportunity to start on a success-assured goal. Make it a good one. AQUARIUS Qanuary 21 - February 18? What would we do without you? You are the sign that always wants to make the world a better place. This week there is no lack of worthy causes in need of your humanitarian efforts. In fact, you may find yourself a bit sad as your increased empathy feels the pain of so many. Although it may seem that you can't possibly make enough of a difference; that is not the truth. You ARE helping. Tuesday & Wednesday are days when you have enhanced intuition. Follow your hunches & listen to your heart Pretend you're a budding guru and enlightenment is just around the corner. Eureka. PISCES (February 19 - March 19) Everything is about dealing with the outer world. This is not really to your Iikino, since escapism is usually your thing. Nevertheless, you are dealing with the public for some reason - at least through Sunday. On Monday, start looking for a group activity mat appeals to you - one that stall allows you a good amount of alone time, this is a dilemma - needing to bond, but not too closely. It's because, as the zodiac's psychic sponge, you absorb so much that sometimes it hurts. A foil-lined cap is probably not the answer, but perhaps a week in a mountaintop monastery would help. Starstream by Lynda Ray (c) W e b s i t e : http://home.earthlink.net/~lyndaray/astrology/ "Brilliant" "A Comedy Powerhouse' "Legendary" -TIME MAGAZINE -CHICAGO TRIBUNE -NEW YORK TIMES Performing a special medley of classic scenes, songs, and improvisation. The Second City's National Touring Company is always original, daring, & hilarious. The Second City brought us Bill Murray, Bonnie Hunt, Chris Farley and Mike Meyers to name a few. ^ You won't want to miss it! Tt January 1O & 11 7:30 pm m Tickets from $12 t o $35 O O -< m ^ FOR TICKETS CALL 435.649.9371 Mary C. Steiner Egyptian Theatre • 328 Main Street www.parkcityshows.com |