"crown heights"
"How far would you go for justice?" is the tag line for the true-life drama Crown Heights. The answer, as far as this film goes, is very, very far. Crown Heights is based on the true story of Colin Warner, portrayed in a quiet, but intense performance by Lakeith Stanfield. Warner is just 18 years old when he is arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Warner is no angel. However, he doesn't deserve to be the innocent victim of a system intent on closing a case, even if the wrong person ends up being convicted.
Crown Heights puts a face on the information from Ava Duvernay's Oscar nominated documentary "13th" which focuses on what some refer to as the "prison industrial system." Warner is poor, must rely on an overworked public defender with no budget for his defense, an immature co-defendant who won't take a plea deal, witnesses who have made deals with or been threatened by police for their testimony, and finally a patrol board that won't allow his release unless he cops to the crime. The system is stacked against him from the start and is eager to throw away the key.
Crown Heights puts a face on the information from Ava Duvernay's Oscar nominated documentary "13th" which focuses on what some refer to as the "prison industrial system." Warner is poor, must rely on an overworked public defender with no budget for his defense, an immature co-defendant who won't take a plea deal, witnesses who have made deals with or been threatened by police for their testimony, and finally a patrol board that won't allow his release unless he cops to the crime. The system is stacked against him from the start and is eager to throw away the key.
The only person who truly believes Warner's claim on innocence is his best friend, Carl "KC" King, played here by former NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha. King is the kind of friend all of us wish we had and wish we would be. When Warner is sentenced, King goes to work to raise money for his appeal. He goes door-to-door in the neighborhood asking for donations and even takes out loans to pay for the attorney. These efforts fail, so he becomes a process server to he can learn the system and find attorneys who will take the case. He begins working the system from the inside. The movie never explains what makes this friendship so deep and strong that King would sacrifice his own family to ensure his friend is freed.
In helming Crown Heights, write and director Matt Ruskin chooses not to focus on the brutality of prison life, but takes us on a journey through a dizzying maze that shows how the accused are presumed guilty, how poverty keeps someone behind bars because he or she is poor. There's also hope in this story. Warner decides to make the best of his situation. He gets his GED, some college and helps other inmates. During his time in prison, he's able to court and marry his childhood sweetheart, played beautifully by Natalie Paul. Crown Heights is a quiet film, but it's message speaks loud and clear.
Crown Heights won the Audience Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
In helming Crown Heights, write and director Matt Ruskin chooses not to focus on the brutality of prison life, but takes us on a journey through a dizzying maze that shows how the accused are presumed guilty, how poverty keeps someone behind bars because he or she is poor. There's also hope in this story. Warner decides to make the best of his situation. He gets his GED, some college and helps other inmates. During his time in prison, he's able to court and marry his childhood sweetheart, played beautifully by Natalie Paul. Crown Heights is a quiet film, but it's message speaks loud and clear.
Crown Heights won the Audience Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.