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16 BARS offers a rare glimpse at the human stories and songs locked away in our nation's jails and prisons. The documentary follows a unique rehabilitation effort in a Virginia jail that encourages inmates to write and record original music. In the jail's makeshift recording studio, four men collaborate to produce an album with Grammy-winner Todd "Speech" Thomas of Arrested Development. As the creative process unfolds, these incarcerated artists must confront the traumas of their past, and music becomes the key to unlocking a new chapter in their lives. Two-time Grammy-winner Speech Thomas is widely considered one of the godfathers of conscious hip-hop. His band Arrested Development's 1993 debut album "3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of..." went quadruple platinum and achieved what few thought was possible at the time, establishing an Afrocentric alternative to gangster rap that was commercially viable. 25 years later, Speech continues to tour the world with his band and seek out opportunities to use music to address issues of social and racial justice. Starting in 2017, he set out on a journey to the Richmond City Jail, where he conducted music workshops with inmates. His goal was to shed light on the complex issues in our criminal justice system by bringing the voices and stories of incarcerated people to a larger audience.

Media

Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• Three or four music videos, for 'Inspire,' 'Lost One', 'Freedom Wind' and 'Lost One'

Sales Points

• Limited Theatrical Release beginning in NY on November 8 and LA November 15
• Kickoff event in Atlanta on October 5, sponsored by the Center for Human and Civil Rights
• Sneak preview in Harlem on November 7 at Maysles Documentary Center, opening night for their Criminal Justice series
• Nominated for Best Independent Documentary, Black Reel Awards
• Winner, Audience Choice Award, Doclands
• Winner, Best Documentary, Downtown LA Film Festival
• Appeals to criminal justice activists for Prison Reform.
• Winner, Best Music Film at the Macon Film Fest.
• For fans of hiphop music, Outlaw Country music, Country blues music.
• An Original Soundtrack album will be released through Caroline/UMG. There will be at least two singles.
• Extensive PR campaign with Speech as focus, for online, print, radio, and TV
• Submitted for Best Doc Oscar
• A series of music videos will be released on all the usual music video outlets, including Vevo and YouTube.

Press Quotes

'Electrifying'

     —The Film Stage

'Powerful'

     —Milwaukee Journal Sentinal

'Profound...A hopeful look at the potential power of song and creativity to focus, empower and inspire.'

     —Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

'This movie is absolutely stunning in every aspect.'

     —Kyle Eustice, HiphopDX

'These guys, they're really special and what they have to say is so potent and poignant. To me, Teddy is the Tupac of this era.'

     —Kyle Eustice, HiphopDX

'Nothing short of miraculous.'

     —Lapacazo Sandoval, Los Angeles Sentinel