NYC Film: Fighting for Life in the Death-Belt

A new documentary considers the controversial institution of capital punishment in America through the eyes of Stephen Bright, the nation's leading anti-death penalty lawyer.

by Peter Wagner, October 3, 2006

Fighting for Life in the Death-Belt, a new documentary film narrated by Ani Difranco, will have its New York City premiere on the October 14th at the Kaufmann Concert Hall at the 92nd Street Y.

The film considers the controversial institution of capital punishment in America through the eyes of Stephen Bright, the nation’s leading anti-death penalty lawyer. For twenty years Bright has defended death row inmates deep in the heart of America’s “death-belt” — the Southeastern States where 90% of executions occur.

There he has built the Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR), a renowned public interest law firm.The film follows Bright and the SCHR in the final days and hours, as they desperately fight to spare two clients from execution. Although both men stand convicted of horrible crimes, these defense attorneys never waiver in their dedication, and present compelling arguments against the criminal justice system that seeks to end their clients’ lives.

The event is a benefit for the Stephen Bright Fellowship at the Southern Center for Human Rights.

[Editor’s note, July 7, 2014: the full film is now available here.]