UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO SCREEN “EXECUTION” FILM
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA TO SCREEN “EXECUTION” FILM
EX-DEATH ROW INMATE, WILLIAM NEAL MOORE, STARS IN FILM AND WILL SPEAK
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 24, 2007 – Screen Arts Film & Media Series, The Department of Communication Studies at UNC-CH, and the Carolina Performing Arts will host a unique Filmmakers Forum and Screening of the film "EXECUTION" at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at Carroll Hall 111 on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The event is part of the year-long project “Criminal/Justice: The Death Penalty Examined,” sponsored by the Carolina Performing Arts.
This event will begin with the gritty death penalty film “EXECUTION,” which has captured the attention of people across America and around the world. EXECUTION is the story of two filmmakers who in 1995 hid cameras in the death chamber and recorded a man’s execution by electric chair. The warden confiscated their footage and hid it from the public for ten years until it was finally returned. EXECUTION is the only film to star a real death row priest, warden and ex-death row inmate. Following the screening, director Steven Scaffidi and star of the film William Neal “Billy” Moore will discuss the film and its controversial reception at festivals and screenings around the world. At the forum, audience members will have an opportunity to ask the filmmakers questions, as well as voice their own opinions on the controversial issue of the death penalty.
Billy Moore was on Georgia's death row for sixteen years and at one point only seven hours away from his own execution in electric chair. He is the only man in America ever to be released from death row for a capital murder he was convicted of and had admitted to. He was freed as a result of the efforts of his victim’s family who actually forgave him for his crime and spoke on his behalf at his parole hearing.
“Most people don’t know anybody who’s on death row. So all they know is what they hear in the paper, and what they’ve seen--how bad and how terrible death row inmates are. But when they see me and listen to me, that changes things.” said Billy Moore.
The film also stars, Dr. Donald Cabana, one of the most recognized wardens in America and bestselling author of the book “Death at Midnight: The Confession of an Executioner”. His 1996 memoir details the pain and confusion of having to carry out executions. He spent most of his time as the warden and director of the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, at one time one of the country's most corrupt and inhumane penitentiaries.
"I've personally carried out and have been a part of many executions," said Don Cabana, "and this film takes the audience closer to the actual execution process than any film that's ever been made."
This one-time-only Filmmakers Forum and Premiere Screening of the film "EXECUTION" is free and open to the general public and all students seventeen years of age or older. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and limited seating is on a first-come / first-served basis. For more information, visit the film’s website at www.executionfilm.com.
"EXECUTION" is produced and directed by New Orleans native Steven Scaffidi of Ghost Rider Pictures and is represented for distribution by Tulchin Entertainment of Los Angeles, California. www.medialawyer.com
