WEBVTT 00:00.933 --> 00:02.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% ADAMU: We're all inside of this place trying 00:02.266 --> 00:05.066 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% to find our way out of here, but also trying 00:05.066 --> 00:08.100 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% to find a way to be together in spite of the separations 00:08.100 --> 00:10.700 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% that are inherent in the prison structure. 00:10.700 --> 00:15.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% DANIELLE: This was 1993, the last day I was with them 00:15.033 --> 00:16.266 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% in the free world. 00:18.800 --> 00:20.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% KRISTAL: The prisons are so far, 00:20.700 --> 00:23.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I mean hours, away from Philly. 00:23.866 --> 00:27.633 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% I started the van service to keep families connected. 00:29.700 --> 00:34.500 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% CROWD: Welcome home, welcome home! 00:34.500 --> 00:35.466 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% ADAMU: What feels important 00:35.466 --> 00:37.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is how we are building community 00:37.133 --> 00:39.133 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% by using the power of telling our stories 00:39.133 --> 00:41.200 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% to change the system that incarcerated us. 00:42.600 --> 00:45.133 align:left position:32.5% line:89% size:57.5% (upbeat music) 00:49.066 --> 00:51.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% KRISTAL: If any of y'all have any loved ones 00:52.466 --> 00:55.033 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% that's incarcerated, I encourage y'all to go see them 00:55.033 --> 00:56.800 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% because they are coming home. 00:56.800 --> 00:58.266 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% DANIELLE: I am home but I am not free. 00:59.600 --> 01:02.300 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% I am not free because my sisters are not free. 01:03.433 --> 01:07.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Free her, free her, free her, free her, free her! 01:07.933 --> 01:09.266 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% STEVIE: I feel a deep responsibility 01:09.266 --> 01:12.000 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% to make sure that this moment doesn't pass. 01:12.000 --> 01:14.233 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - You got you out- LONNIE: No, we got me out. 01:14.233 --> 01:15.233 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% KRISTAL: I feel like a little girl, 01:15.233 --> 01:17.366 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% like, ah, my mom and my dad. 01:18.433 --> 01:20.366 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% DANIELLE: I'm just trying to figure 01:20.366 --> 01:23.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% this whole freedom thing out, what's my purpose. 01:27.700 --> 01:30.466 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% DEL TORO: This is our Liberated Lives Meet the Makers 01:30.466 --> 01:31.933 align:left position:35% line:89% size:55% conversation. 01:31.933 --> 01:34.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% uncovering the silent struggles 01:34.433 --> 01:37.466 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and triumphs of those touched by incarceration 01:37.466 --> 01:41.066 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% while aiming to bridge the gaps of societal narratives 01:41.066 --> 01:44.033 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% with reconciliation, resilience and redemption. 01:44.033 --> 01:47.266 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% Filmmaker Adamu Chan tells his story of incarceration 01:47.266 --> 01:50.166 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% through the lenses of dignity and determination, 01:50.166 --> 01:54.000 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and how he found positivity in the most confined space. 01:55.333 --> 01:58.533 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% Adamu, you tell your story in such a unique way 01:58.533 --> 02:01.366 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% and you're using poetry, music 02:01.366 --> 02:04.100 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% to capture the power of your voice. 02:04.100 --> 02:06.900 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Why did you decide to take this approach? 02:06.900 --> 02:09.300 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% - I think originally I had thought 02:09.300 --> 02:12.766 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% about telling a more journalistic piece 02:12.766 --> 02:16.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% about the COVID outbreak that happened at San Quentin 02:16.333 --> 02:18.700 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and the organizing that I was a part of 02:18.700 --> 02:20.700 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and a lot of other folks were a part of. 02:20.700 --> 02:24.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But it seemed like a more personal approach had more power 02:24.533 --> 02:26.100 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% and more impact. 02:26.100 --> 02:28.533 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% And also I wanted to bring my friends into this, 02:28.533 --> 02:30.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% into the fold and tell the stories of the people 02:30.466 --> 02:32.766 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% that I was closest to through letters 02:32.766 --> 02:35.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and through the writing that we shared across walls 02:35.733 --> 02:37.000 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and the communication that we shared 02:37.000 --> 02:40.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% across walls seemed like the best way to do that. 02:43.200 --> 02:48.266 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - This is a Valentine's Day card from you, very cute. 02:49.500 --> 02:51.266 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% You always gave me Valentine's Day cards. 02:51.266 --> 02:53.133 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% Your presence in my life makes me a better 02:53.133 --> 02:54.000 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% more whole person. 02:54.000 --> 02:55.333 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% That's right, you see? 02:55.333 --> 02:57.566 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% - Did you have a filmmaking background? 02:57.566 --> 03:02.533 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% - I did not, I had the privilege of learning filmmaking 03:03.566 --> 03:05.066 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% inside of San Quentin's media center. 03:05.066 --> 03:09.366 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% And at the time, I really understood that privilege 03:09.366 --> 03:12.933 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% that we were maybe the only incarcerated people anywhere 03:12.933 --> 03:16.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in the world that were able to have video cameras. 03:16.266 --> 03:20.633 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% And as a crew, as a group of filmmakers inside 03:20.633 --> 03:24.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that really informed our purpose that we had this platform 03:24.466 --> 03:26.800 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% that no one else had and we had to speak 03:26.800 --> 03:28.866 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% to something greater than ourselves, 03:28.866 --> 03:31.133 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% than our own personal stories. 03:31.133 --> 03:33.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% More than anything else, what feels important 03:33.533 --> 03:36.033 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% is how we are building community by using the power 03:36.033 --> 03:37.966 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% of telling our stories to change the system 03:37.966 --> 03:39.333 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% that incarcerated us. 03:39.333 --> 03:41.066 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% I carried that with me when I came out too. 03:41.066 --> 03:44.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I wanted to tell a story that reached across walls. 03:44.400 --> 03:47.466 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% This was a film that I wanted to prioritize folks 03:47.466 --> 03:50.266 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% who are currently incarcerated as a primary audience. 03:50.266 --> 03:52.700 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% I wanted to do this for them so that they could watch it. 03:52.700 --> 03:54.866 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% And one of my impact goals was 03:54.866 --> 03:57.000 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% to try to get a national broadcast 03:57.000 --> 03:59.533 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% because I know that people inside watch PBS. 03:59.533 --> 04:03.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I watched it, it was a big part of my growth as a filmmaker, 04:03.566 --> 04:07.066 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% my interests and my way of seeing the outside world 04:07.066 --> 04:08.666 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% and expanding my imagination 04:08.666 --> 04:12.066 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and connecting with other people's stories. 04:12.066 --> 04:16.733 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% - Have your fellow inmates, friends, have they gotten 04:16.733 --> 04:21.700 align:left position:25% line:77% size:65% to see the film and what reaction have you gotten from them? 04:21.700 --> 04:23.466 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% - Yeah, so one of the issues 04:23.466 --> 04:28.533 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% with being a formerly incarcerated filmmaker is 04:29.933 --> 04:33.866 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% that there are some biases that exist 04:33.866 --> 04:35.366 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% with the administration. 04:35.366 --> 04:38.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I'm not just a regular filmmaker 04:38.666 --> 04:41.733 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and maybe some of the things that I have done, 04:41.733 --> 04:44.033 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% maybe the film itself feels subversive 04:44.033 --> 04:47.033 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% and I haven't been able to show the film inside. 04:47.033 --> 04:48.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So this would be the first time 04:48.400 --> 04:50.166 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% that folks inside would be able to watch. 04:50.166 --> 04:53.866 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% And so I'm really excited about that. 04:53.866 --> 04:55.866 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% You know, beyond that, when I was inside, 04:55.866 --> 04:58.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we were producing a TV show that was going out 04:58.566 --> 05:00.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to all 36 prisons in California, 05:00.833 --> 05:02.066 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% and I know the impact of that. 05:02.066 --> 05:03.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I still see the impact of that. 05:03.466 --> 05:05.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Like when I'm out on the streets and I see people 05:05.333 --> 05:07.733 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% who are formerly incarcerated and they came 05:07.733 --> 05:09.266 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% from other prisons, they'll tell me, they'll be like, 05:09.266 --> 05:12.833 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% "I saw you on TV and those stories reached me." 05:12.833 --> 05:15.633 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% So I know that this will have impact. 05:15.633 --> 05:20.233 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% And for my friends and loved ones that are still inside 05:20.233 --> 05:24.666 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% who see what we've been able to do with this film, 05:24.666 --> 05:27.533 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% it already has a impact on them. 05:27.533 --> 05:30.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% It has broadened their horizons. 05:30.366 --> 05:34.600 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% I'm just excited for what this will open up for other folks, 05:34.600 --> 05:38.200 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% not just as filmmakers but as creatives, as organizers, 05:38.200 --> 05:40.166 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% as people who are trying to dream bigger 05:40.166 --> 05:42.333 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% than their circumstances. 05:42.333 --> 05:44.166 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - What were some of the important things 05:44.166 --> 05:48.100 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% that you wanted the audience to know about your story? 05:48.100 --> 05:49.733 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% - This is a story about relationships 05:49.733 --> 05:51.366 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% and it's a story about communities. 05:51.366 --> 05:54.400 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% And the dominate narratives about resistance 05:54.400 --> 05:58.366 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% against the correction system are these stories about Attica 05:58.366 --> 06:01.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and about George Jackson and these violent uprisings, 06:01.733 --> 06:05.500 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% but I feel like people are resisting every day. 06:05.500 --> 06:08.066 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% And some of these other stories are about families 06:08.066 --> 06:11.333 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% on the outside who are every day doing the work 06:11.333 --> 06:14.000 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% and the mothers and loved ones 06:15.300 --> 06:18.366 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% who are such an important part of this resistance 06:18.366 --> 06:21.433 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% which is just relationships like the relationships 06:21.433 --> 06:22.933 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% that people have and the relationships 06:22.933 --> 06:27.866 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% that people maintain that actually keep people alive. 06:27.866 --> 06:30.266 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - Relationships are active resiliency 06:30.266 --> 06:32.800 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% and a pushback against the isolation. 06:32.800 --> 06:36.233 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% Isolation is actually a root cause of crime. 06:36.233 --> 06:38.933 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% Without feeling loved, it's hard to love. 06:38.933 --> 06:41.133 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% If you don't care, you're a dangerous person. 06:41.133 --> 06:42.533 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% - Sometimes I feel like the focus is 06:42.533 --> 06:45.666 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% on the political work, the advocacy. 06:45.666 --> 06:47.033 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% Those things are really important 06:47.033 --> 06:50.466 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% but I don't wanna understate the importance 06:50.466 --> 06:53.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% of people's connections with their communities 06:53.433 --> 06:55.066 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% and their loved ones. 06:55.066 --> 06:59.133 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% Isolation, violence, these things are not helping 06:59.133 --> 07:02.333 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% anyone's mental health and in many ways exacerbating it, 07:02.333 --> 07:03.933 align:left position:22.5% line:89% size:67.5% making it much worse. 07:03.933 --> 07:07.533 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% And then we expect people to come home and function 07:09.000 --> 07:13.366 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% when they've been traumatized more than they were originally 07:13.366 --> 07:18.433 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% and carry the shame and stigma of having a criminal record. 07:19.700 --> 07:23.066 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% - How are you hoping that your film is received? 07:23.066 --> 07:27.266 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% - I think back to when I was in solitary 07:27.266 --> 07:31.766 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and when I got there I felt very alone. 07:31.766 --> 07:36.833 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% And the person in the cell next to me reached out 07:37.900 --> 07:39.766 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% and asked me if I needed some food, 07:39.766 --> 07:42.266 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% asked me if I needed some cosmetics, 07:42.266 --> 07:44.566 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% if I needed a book to read. 07:44.566 --> 07:49.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And when the books came through the cell doors, 07:52.700 --> 07:57.766 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% I read Malcolm X and I read Audre Lorde and I read Assata 07:58.566 --> 07:59.666 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% and they were there with me. 07:59.666 --> 08:02.000 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% And every day when it was mail call 08:02.000 --> 08:06.366 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% when I received a letter, my loved ones were there with me. 08:06.366 --> 08:11.266 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% And so I think about this kind of black tradition 08:11.266 --> 08:15.066 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% of sharing our stories and how it bridges the gaps 08:15.066 --> 08:19.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% across the diaspora and how we build solidarity 08:19.033 --> 08:24.100 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% with each other through that, how we feel not so alone 08:24.900 --> 08:26.700 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% in the most isolated places. 08:26.700 --> 08:29.433 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% For the first time in almost 12 years in prison, 08:29.433 --> 08:31.133 align:left position:12.5% line:89% size:77.5% I feel connected to a purpose. 08:31.133 --> 08:35.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% How we raise each other, raise our spirits together 08:35.000 --> 08:40.066 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and I hope the film will play some small role in that, 08:41.800 --> 08:46.866 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% in bridging gaps and bridging the distances 08:48.900 --> 08:52.133 align:left position:25% line:83% size:65% and getting people to believe in solidarity. 08:52.133 --> 08:56.366 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% I think it's something that's transformed my life 08:56.366 --> 08:59.366 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% and I've seen it transform other people's lives 08:59.366 --> 09:00.766 align:left position:32.5% line:83% size:57.5% and people are doing it every day. 09:00.766 --> 09:03.200 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% And I just think that this is another way 09:03.200 --> 09:05.100 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% to exercise that muscle. 09:05.100 --> 09:08.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% - How are you readjusting to life outside of prison? 09:08.366 --> 09:10.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - You know I've been privileged to be a part of a community 09:10.466 --> 09:15.533 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% of folks who come home and who have supported each other. 09:16.200 --> 09:17.133 align:left position:27.5% line:89% size:62.5% But it's difficult. 09:17.133 --> 09:19.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% You go through different phases 09:19.133 --> 09:22.966 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% of processing what you've been through 09:22.966 --> 09:24.533 align:left position:15% line:89% size:75% and coming to grips with it. 09:24.533 --> 09:27.066 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% This is my fourth year of being home. 09:27.066 --> 09:28.333 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% It's difficult. 09:28.333 --> 09:30.466 align:left position:27.5% line:83% size:62.5% The first year is you wake up every day 09:30.466 --> 09:34.333 align:left position:12.5% line:83% size:77.5% and everything's beautiful and it's a blessing to be home. 09:34.333 --> 09:37.933 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% And then as you move through it, things get more difficult. 09:37.933 --> 09:41.433 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% Things begin to settle and you start coming to terms 09:41.433 --> 09:43.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% with what's happened to you and what's happened 09:43.433 --> 09:45.000 align:left position:17.5% line:89% size:72.5% to the people around you. 09:45.000 --> 09:46.766 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% I can't help but think of all those 09:46.766 --> 09:49.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% who are still behind the walls of San Quentin. 09:49.033 --> 09:51.233 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% The psychological and emotional distance 09:51.233 --> 09:53.300 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% that cuts through the core of what feels like one 09:53.300 --> 09:56.966 align:left position:17.5% line:83% size:72.5% of our most human needs, to be deeply connected to others. 09:58.166 --> 10:00.533 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% I mean, I don't think the prison system works 10:00.533 --> 10:05.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and these issues of safety that people have so much anxiety 10:05.300 --> 10:09.400 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% and fear about can be dealt with in different ways 10:09.400 --> 10:12.866 align:left position:15% line:83% size:75% when we recognize everyone's humanity and the fact 10:12.866 --> 10:15.700 align:left position:22.5% line:83% size:67.5% that everyone deserves love and care. 10:16.033 --> 10:18.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% DEL TORO: Adamu Chan, thank you so much for spending time 10:18.466 --> 10:21.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with us to talk about your film, What The Walls Wont Hold.