The Farm: Angola, USA (1998)

Documentary depicting day to day life in Angola Prison mostly from an inmate's perspective. Interviews are with several inmates including one with a life sentence who is about to die.

Directors:

Liz Garbus, Wilbert Rideau,

Writer:

Bob Harris (investigative reports)

Stars:

Bernard Addison, Burl Cain, George Crawford

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Bernard Addison	...	Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Burl Cain	...	Himself (Angola Warden)
George Crawford	...	Himself
Wilbert Rideau	...	Himself
Vincent Simmons	...	Himself
Eugene 'Bishop' Tannehill	...	Himself
Logan 'Bones' Theriot	...	Himself
Ashanti Witherspoon	...	Himself

Storyline

Documentary depicting day to day life in Angola Prison mostly from an inmate's perspective. Interviews are with several inmates including one with a life sentence who is about to die.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | angola | warden | louisiana | narration | 

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Taglines:

Enter the gateway to hell and meet the men who call it home.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Investigative Reports: The Farm - Life Inside Angola Prison

Filming Locations:

Angola, Louisiana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gabriel Films, Kurtis Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eugene 'Bishop' Tannehill was finally released from prison in August 2007 after then-Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco commuted his life sentence.

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Connections

Followed by The Farm: 10 Down (2009)

User Reviews

Compelling. Terrific.

Have your kids or students watch this. It's interesting and will provide lots of fodder for discussion about choices in life and their consequences, family, faith, and hope. As others have mentioned, the parole board hearing is of particular interest. You might find yourself shaking your head, as I did. By the way, there is no bad language--as compared to "Scared Straight" for example, so you needn't concern yourself with pre-screening. Outstanding job by filmmakers who stay in the background and let the characters be the story. If you're not familiar with Scared Straight and its sequel, be sure to check it out as well. Note: This is the prison depicted in Oliver Stone's "JFK," where Jim Garrison interviews hustler Willie O'Keefe (Kevin Bacon).