DURING this time of community quarantine, everyone I know is either watching popular K-drama series or the action-laden extravaganza Extraction on Netflix, or the beautifully shot but gravitas-lacking Hollywood. I am, however, begging everyone to watch The Innocence Files.
The Innocence Files is a Netflix docu-series that puts the focus on different false convictions in the United States. We meet Franky Carillo, who was just 16 years old when police arrested him for murder. Then there’s Kennedy Brewer, a man sentenced to death for the assault and murder of his ex-girlfriend’s three-year-old daughter. Chester Hollman was 21 when he was stopped as a suspect of a nearby murder just because his car looked similar to the car identified by eyewitnesses.
All of them are now free thanks to The Innocence Project, a New York-based nonprofit founded by lawyers Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld in the 1990s. And now, all three men are reflecting on the incidents that led to their cases and wrongful convictions, painting a terrifying picture of America’s corrupt and unreliable criminal justice system.
The docu-series was gripping with each episode. And educational too, as flaws in evidentiary processes such as bite marks (famously used to convict serial killer Ted Bundy) or eye witnesses are exposed. But what’s most terrifying is the case of Hollman which saw a conniving prosecutor and police detectives braying to convict him, even to the extent of hiding evidence that will ultimately lead to his innocence.
It can be a difficult watch as we are always faced with sensational tales of abuse of power by the persons of authority almost every single day in the news especially here in the Philippines, but everyone involved has that kind of strength and resolve that can inspire.
Speaking of inspiring documentaries, kudos to ABS-CBN: despite all its troubles, it continues to be recognized abroad for producing world-class stories as three of its documentaries were honored in the prestigious 2020 New York Festivals TV and Film Awards.
ABS-CBN’s DocuCentral: Local Legends episode about 74-year-old artist and environmentalist Ric Obenza, who dedicated his life restoring the forests in Davao, won a Silver World Medal, while another DocuCentral piece Alab (Ablaze), about the courage and camaraderie of Filipino volunteer firefighters, took home a Bronze World Medal in the Heroes category.
Completing the winners this year for ABS-CBN, which took home the most medals among media networks from the Philippines, is the episode Tao Po (Is Anybody Home?) by award-winning documentarist Jeff Canoy for the documentary series #NoFilter. The piece, which won a Bronze World Medal in the Human Concerns category, revolves around the life of a mother caring for her daughter diagnosed with Down Syndrome. This is the first international award for #NoFilter since its launch in 2019. Five ABS-CBN documentaries were also named as finalists in the competition, including HIV Rising; Local Legends: Glass Sculptor, about glass artist Ramon Orlina; Invisible, a documentary on mental health; and two more documentaries from Jeff Canoy: Ang Babae ng Balangiga (The Woman of Balangiga) and Tigdas for the now-on-hiatus program Red Alert.
ABS-CBN has won several times in the New York Festivals in recent years, including Gold World Medals for the “Elsa and Sarah” TV spot of ABS-CBN Creative Communications Management in 2019, and the acclaimed Di Ka Pasisiil (Never Shall Be Conquered) documentary by Canoy and Chiara Zambrano in 2018.
In a post on Instagram, Canoy dedicated his latest win to the subjects of his winning documentary. “This one’s for Nanay Anna and Candy. Here’s to more stories that shine a light on persons with different needs. And for us to be kinder to one another,” he said.
The New York Festivals Best TV and Film Awards aims to honor content in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries, with a jury composed of broadcast and film leaders from around the world.