Lockdown, USA
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Michael Skolnik
Randy Credico
Wanda Best
Benjamin Chavis
Andrew Cuomo
Sean Combs
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Chronicles hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons' quest to repeal New York State's Rockefeller Drug Laws, which can send first-time, nonviolent drug offenders to prison for 15 years to life. These laws have sparked a contentious debate between lawmakers, who argue that drug traffickers deserve the stiffest penalties; and the Laws' opponents, who believe that sentences for novice criminals are too harsh, given that rapists can be released from prison after only four years. Forty-eight states have adopted laws based on the New York statutes, sending the mothers and fathers of over 4 million children in the U.S. to prison. For instance, Wanda Best is raising her five children alone after her husband Darryl was given 15 years to life for signing for a neighbor's FedEx package, which, unknown to him, was filled with cocaine. To spread the word, Simmons assembles a rally, and enlists the help of his hip-hop and pop music peers--among them 50 Cent, P. Diddy, and Mariah Carey--to help raise awareness with New York City's youth. After orchestrating the rally, Simmons travels upstate with Andrew Cuomo and Benjamin Chavis to receive a crash course on political negotiating with New York Governor George Pataki.
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 2006
Released in United States June 2006
Shown at SILVERDOCS:AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival (World View) June 13-18, 2006.
Shown at Tribeca Film Festival (NY, NY Documentary Feature Competition) April 25-May 7, 2006.
Film made its television debut on IFC on May 5, 2008.
Released in United States 2006 (Shown at Tribeca Film Festival (NY, NY Documentary Feature Competition) April 25-May 7, 2006.)
Released in United States June 2006 (Shown at SILVERDOCS:AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival (World View) June 13-18, 2006.)
