2nd October 2009
Breaking Rocks is an inspiring documentary which tells the story of Billy Bragg's independent initiative, Jail Guitar Doors, which provides instruments to those who are using music as a means of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates.
Bragg originally approached Director Alan Miles with a request to shoot footage of a visit he was making to Guys Marsh prison in Dorset. The songwriter was delivering a batch of acoustic guitars to Malcolm Dudley, a prison music teacher, so his class of inmates could practice with instruments.
The film features interviews with prisoners whose lives have been transformed by the experience in addition to footage of Jail Guitar Door graduates Leon Walker and Jonny Neesom. In Billy’s own words – "Prison has to be about much more than just locking people up – we want people to move on from their situation and reconnect with the outside world, and my hunch was that playing an instrument – particularly a guitar- could help that."
The film features performances by 'graduates' from Jail Guitar Doors as well as from many of the artists that have supported the programme including Mick Jones (The Clash), Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Sam Duckworth (Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly) and Billy Bragg himself.
The Raindance Film Festival World Premiere screening took place at Proud Galleries in Camden on 1st October 2009.
Watch the trailer here.
Source: www.raindance.co.uk
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.