One decade after THE FARM: ANGOLA, USA (Oscar nominated 1999; two-time Emmy winner 1999), we go back inside Louisiana's | dG1fdV9GWFpfTHF5eWM
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00When you sell us to a penal institution, your life is scattered.
00:04You the one got to put it back together.
00:16First time you ever worked in the field?
00:18First time I ever worked in my life.
00:20You know, the person who was arrested 22 years ago was a totally different person.
00:24I've done everything in prison that I should have done as a community leader in society.
00:29The original charge that I'm in prison for is aggravated rape.
00:33I've been trying to get the evidence since I've been here to prove my innocence.
00:47Rough ten years.
00:49There is hope. I'll never lose hope.
00:52If a person gives up hope, that's the day that you begin to die.
00:55I'm out here with you all filming and so forth.
00:58You know, there wouldn't be any problem for me to walk away.
01:01But the point is, I've changed.
01:04I'm innocent.
01:06And I know one thing, if I lie, I know what I'm facing.
01:10Me and Sharon are here because we have to be.
01:12The thing you need to realize is that you know the truth.
01:15You do. And until you let go of your truth, you're going to stay in your mental prison forever.
01:21Innocent man, a good man.
01:23And with the clap of my heart, I took that man alive.
01:27But they picked me up and rescued me.
01:35This is the incarceration station.
01:37The only one in the nation.
01:3991.7 FM.
01:46I'm eligible for parole.
01:48I feel excited. I have a lot of hope.
01:50I've been a warden 17 years.
01:52I've seen a lot of good inmates. I've seen a lot of bad.
01:55And I would say that he is the very best of the best.
01:57I understand how people just keep setting you up.
02:00I don't know. It just seems like when I try to do right, things go wrong.
02:04I sowed the good seed in Angola.
02:07And I come to New York to do what? To reap the harvest.
02:10Praise the Lord, I'm free.
02:14No longer bound.
02:18No more chains holding me.
02:21My soul is resting.
02:24When I first arrived, I was like dead grass.
02:26I believe in the human race.
02:28I'm going to make a difference. That's a promise to myself.
02:31If you allow me to be released, you'll never regret it.
02:34I see myself walking in New York City.
02:37I'm free.
02:39Northern coal buildings, I ain't stopping. And bless God today.
02:43I'd like my body to be turned into ashes.
02:47Everybody has a little bit of good in them somewhere.
02:50Maybe Vincent's just needs to be watered.
02:53Praise the Lord, praise the Lord.
02:56I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear.
02:58I don't think I've ever been inspired this much in my life.
03:01And I hear tears coming from my eyes.
03:03Thank you for that, sharing that with me.
03:06Praise the Lord.
03:10Hallelujah.