About O.G. (HBO)

"O.G." is a 2019 HBO original movie. The film focuses on Louis, a maximum-security prison inmate, played by Jeffrey Wright, who attempts to mentor a new inmate, Beecher, played by Theothus Carter, while grappling with his own impending release. The film spotlights the challenges of reintegrating into society after long-term incarceration and the lived experiences of men inside the prison system.

Making / Production

"O.G." was directed by Madeleine Sackler and shot in Pendelton Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Indiana. The film involved actual inmates and correctional officers in the script-writing process and on-screen roles, thereby blurring the line between fiction and documentary.

Actors

• Jeffrey Wright, playing as Louis, delivers an intensely embodied performance of a man grappling with redemption and release.
• Theothus Carter, as Beecher, who was an actual inmate during filming, brilliantly portrays the struggle of adjusting to the brutal reality of prison life.
• William Fichtner, who plays the role of a Prison officer, adds depth to the narrative by projecting the thin line between the keepers and the kept in the prison system.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "O.G." was filmed inside an active maximum-security prison in Indiana, with many of the incarcerated men and prison staff appearing as actors in the film.
• The film's lead, Theothus Carter, was serving a 65-year sentence during production. He has since been released.
• Director Madeleine Sackler worked with subjects inside the prison for over a year to develop scripted narrative scenes that align with their own experiences and perspectives.

Quotes

• "There's no such thing as a secret in here, only what people choose to ignore." - Louis
• "You never know what a man is capable of until you put him in a place he doesn't belong." - Beecher
• "In here, you learn to appreciate the little things, like a second chance." - Louis

Music, Soundtrack

• The moody score of the film was composed by Nathaniel Mechaly, providing a tense and atmospheric backdrop to the narrative.
• Many of the songs played in the background of the film scenes are from the rap and R&B genres, reflecting the cultural tastes of many of the film's characters.