The Sentence

About The Sentence

"The Sentence" is a compelling 2018 film directed by Rudy Valdez. The documentary drills into the impact of mandatory minimum drug sentences on families. Serving as both a personal story and social commentary, the film tells the story of Cindy Shank, a mother of three sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her tangential involvement with a Michigan drug ring years earlier. The film paints a heartbreaking picture of the devastating impacts of incarceration, punctuated by home videos and interviews.

Making / Production

Creator Rudy Valdez took on dual roles as director and Cindy's brother, a decade-long journey that began as a way to document his nieces' lives for their mother. Valdez partnered with HBO Documentary Films and Park Pictures to unveil the harsh realities of the American judicial system.

Actors

• Cindy Shank: The central figure of the documentary who with her emotional struggle became the face of many women's experiences in the American prison.
• Rudy Valdez: Cindy's brother and director of the film, whose role as a character is woven into the narrative revealing a familial perspective on the reality of incarceration.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was shot over ten years, documenting Cindy's family's life before, during, and after her time in prison.
• Director Rudy Valdez is a self-taught filmmaker who started this project to ensure his nieces would remember their mother.

Awards

"The Sentence" was awarded the Audience Award for U.S. Documentary at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, testament to its strong emotional appeal and powerful storytelling.

Quotes

• "I can't be there as a mom. And that's the hardest part." - Cindy Shank
• "This is not my world. This is not my life. But it is. It's my life." - Cindy Shank

Music and Soundtrack

• The movie features an emotional and thought-provoking score composed by Samuel Sim, deeply augmenting the narrative's heartrending elements.