FEATURING
Rita Chiarelli
Credits
A Caché Film & Television Production
Directed By Bruce McDonald
Written By Tony Burgess, Erin Faith Young
Original Concept By Rita Chiarelli
Producers Erin Faith Young, Jennifer St. John
Director of Photography Steve Cosens
Editor Eamonn O’Connor
Music Composer Chris Guglick
2010 | HD | B&W | 87 Minutes
Synopsis
Rita Chiarelli, an award-winning recording artist, takes a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the blues, Louisiana State Maximum Security Penitentiary a.k.a Angola Prison. She never imagined that her love of the blues would lead her to a historic jailhouse performance with inmates serving life sentences for murder, rape and armed robbery.
This musical journey is a glance into what used to be the bloodiest prison in America, but now gives lifers something to live for through the power of music. In contrast to sensational stories of convicts, we witness remarkable voices of hope as their love of music radiates humanity and redemption on their quest for forgiveness.
For more information, please visit the official website at www.musicfromthebighouse.com.
Accolades
WINNER – Best Canadian Documentary, Edmonton International Film Festival
“One of the more rousing music documentaries to surface in a long spell. But count on maverick Canuck director Bruce McDonald to try to throw viewers off base from the get-go… Ironically, it is one of the most accessible and remarkable offerings from this cult director, who generally prides himself on his idiosyncratic ways… Imagine that, a Bruce McDonald movie with a rockin’ religious message.”
Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette
