The video “One Nation Under Guard” raises vital issues in the criminal justice system. Much is at stake — if it wins it will help garner national attention and help fund a larger documentary project which CFTJ has worked with the producer to get filmed. There are only a few hours left to vote — please click on the film name below and vote and send this to everyone you know and ask them to consider doing the same.
Thank you! Please send positive energy out for this important project.
Morgan
VOTE NOW!
You must register to vote. (See instructions at bottom of this email.)
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Film on prison system is movie-contest finalist
Parts of 11-minute documentary were shot in Richmond
BY DANIEL NEMAN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Saturday, November 11, 2006
An argument with a friend led Lucas Krost to within one step of the big time.
Krost’s short film “One Nation Under Guard” is one of six finalists in the Seeds of Tolerance movie contest sponsored by Current TV.
Viewers and fans can vote for their favorite among the socially conscious films. The winner will receive $100,000 plus an additional $15,000 for his designated charity.
According to Krost, the 11-minute documentary is about “the need for reform in our prison system and the effects that this mass incarceration is having on minority culture.”
Krost said, “I was where most Americans are not even a month ago. I was of the opinion that if you commit a crime, you get what you deserve.”
But a conversation with a friend about the effects of imprisoning a large portion of the population turned into an argument. Krost, the victim of violent crimes in the past, was so upset with what his friend said that he vowed to do research to support his argument.
Instead, the research convinced him that the prison system needs reform.
“The people who are going to prison more and more are people who can’t afford representation. The majority of people in there are not violent offenders. I now have much more sympathy and empathy for people who are in prison,” he said.
Krost, 33, heard about the Seeds of Tolerance contest and was immediately struck by the idea of making a film about the subject. A 2003 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s film program, he now works as a camera assistant on motion-picture projects that come through town.
Because he had done the research in advance, after his argument, he was able to make the film in just two weeks. He shot it in Highland Park and Carytown, as well as Emporia and Washington. He also used powerful stock footage of a fight, complete with tear gas lobbed by the guards, at Pelican Bay State Prison in California.
The sleepless nights of shooting and editing were made even more hectic by the fact that Krost’s wife, Alexandra, gave birth in the midst of the brief production.
“One Nation Under Guard” was one of the six movies selected as finalists from 380 entries. Its fate now lies in the hands of voters.
The movie can be seen at www.current.tv/make/vc2/sot, where viewers can vote for their favorite. The contest allows one vote per e-mail address and three votes per computer. Votes will be taken through Dec. 1.
If he wins, Krost said, he will designate the $15,000 charity contribution be made to the Youth Life Foundation in Highland Park.
He and his wife “want to teach film to at-risk youth. We want to show a new way to express themselves through film, and teach them that other than violence or drugs you have other ways forward”
Contact staff writer Daniel Neman at dneman@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6408.
This story can be found at: http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149191636298&path=!flair&s=1045855936229
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Instructions for Voting
Go to http://www.current.tv/make/vc2/sot
You must first select “One Nation Under Guard“
You must click on Login or Register to Vote at the bottom.
Then, choose “No, I want to register with Current TV.”
Fill in the information.
Check “I agree to the site terms and privacy policy.”
Then, click on Register With Current TV“
Then chose “One Nation Under Guard” again.
Finally, click on “Cast Your Vote” at the bottom.
CENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC JUSTICE
serving the national correctional community
PO Box 641
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187
Phone: 757-561-8907
EMAIL: centerforjustice@aol.com
FAX: 757-645-4688
http://www.therapeuticjustice.com/
If we are to achieve results never before accomplished,
we must employ methods never before attempted. ~Bacon
