About 40 Years a Prisoner

"40 Years a Prisoner" is an intimate documentary film that chronicles the controversial events of May 13, 1985, when Philadelphia authorities dropped military-grade explosives on a residential building, which was home to an activist group called MOVE, resulting in 11 deaths, including five children.

The film particularly dwells on the story of Mike Africa Jr., who was born in prison to two MOVE members, and his 40-year long fight to exonerate his parents.

Making / Production

Directed by Tommy Oliver, the film is a culmination of years of research and interviews that seek to uncover the realities behind the events of that fateful day in Philadelphia and the deep-rooted issues of racial discrimination and police brutality.

Actors

• Mike Africa Jr. as Himself - Mike Africa Jr. plays a central role in the film as he passionately depicts his ceaseless fight to free his parents from prison and bring justice to the MOVE members who were brutally oppressed and wrongfully incarcerated.
• Debbie Africa as Herself - Debbie portrays herself as a MOVE member and mother to Mike, who spent 40 years in prison.
• Janine Africa as Herself - Janine represents another angle to the MOVE narrative through her own experiences and hardships.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "40 Years a Prisoner" marks the first time the MOVE bombing has been extensively covered and scrutinized in a major documentary film.
• The film uses a combination of interviews, archival footage, and present-day chronicles, providing a comprehensive view of the events.

Quotes

• "We want people. We don't want no more talk, no more meetings. We want our folks." - Mike Africa Jr.
• "They dropped the bomb on us, May 13." - Ramona Africa

Music, Soundtrack

• The music for "40 Years a Prisoner" is composed by Jongnic Bontemps, a composer who has a knack for telling stories through music. The emotional yet complex narrative of the film is well-complemented by Jongnic's score.
• The soundtrack features a mix of original tracks and popular songs from the era of the events portrayed, enhancing the film's dense social and political context.