The film is a 90-minute documentary told through the voice of inmate Kenneth Reams about human resilience.
The Royal Film Commission – Jordan has collaborated with the Embassy of Switzerland to screen the feature-documentary Free Men on February 26 at The Rainbow Theater in Amman, Jordan. The film is available in English and French with Arabic and English subtitles.
The screening would be followed by a panel discussion with film director Anne-Frédérique Widmann Parliament Member Kais Zayyadin, Attorney at Law Iyad AlQaisi and the film protagonist Kenneth Reams (via skype). The panel would be moderated by the Regional Director at Penal Reform International, Taghreed Jaber.
In solitary confinement for the last 25 years, Kenneth has become a painter, a poet, the founder of a non-profit organisation and an art event organiser – while fighting at the same time for justice. The film also highlights Kenneth’s love for Isabelle, a French artist he wants to marry.
At age 18, Kenneth was convicted for capital murder without firing a bullet. He was the youngest inmate in Arkansas.
Free Men had its world premiere at Film Festival and International Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) in Geneva in 2018. The film has won the Special Award for documentary at the Alger International Film Festival (FICA) 2018 and a Jury Award at the FIFDH 2018.