DEADLINE

In fall of 2002 Illinois Governor George Ryan faces shocking findings about flaws in his state’s capital punishment system

This calls his long-held beliefs into question. Suddenly, he must make one of the most difficult decisions of his life – to ignore this disturbing evidence, or to transform the entire Illinois capital punishment system. The stakes of this decision are the lives of over 170 people, and Ryan’s own political career. And he has only until January to issue his final decision.
Deadline tackles the volatile topic of the American capital punishment system with intelligence, compassion and balance. Furthermore, the film captures the extraordinary transformation of one man who holds the power of life and death in his hands.

“It gives you a chance to ruminate on some crucial questions of human error, justice and life-and-death.” — Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

Release year:

2004

Director:

Katy Chevigny & Kirsten Johnson

Running length:

53 or 73 minutes

Production company:

Big Mouth Productions

 

Categories:

• Feature Lenghts
• People & Culture