The Sentence (HBO) - 2018

About The Sentence

"The Sentence" is a heart-wrenching 2018 HBO documentary, directed by Rudy Valdez. This gripping film explores the outcome of mandatory minimum prison sentences, focusing specifically on Cynthia Shank, who receives a 15-year prison sentence for her tangential involvement in a crime committed by her deceased ex-boyfriend. The emotional distress caused by her absence on her family, especially her three young daughters, is poignantly captured.

Making / Production

Rudy Valdez, Shank's brother, embarked on the making of "The Sentence" to shed light on the devastating impact of the penal system on families. As Shank's family experiences her insurmountable absence, the documentary puts a human face on an unjust penal system. Shot over ten years, "The Sentence" combines home videos and intimate footage to reveal a deeply personal side of the criminal justice system.

Actors

• Cynthia Shank: The primary focus of the documentary, Cynthia Shank plays herself — a woman faced with a harsh prison sentence that has ripple effects on her entire family.
• Adam Shank: Adam, portrayed himself, is Cynthia's loyal and devoted husband struggling to raise their three daughters on his own in her absence.
• Rudy Valdez: Rudy, playing himself, takes on the roles of both director and brother to Cynthia, showcasing his devastating family experience through the lens of his camera.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Rudy Valdez originally started filming his sister’s children to document their growing up years for Cynthia as she lost precious time with them while in prison.
• The film took almost ten years to make, during which Rudy Valdez taught himself the art of filmmaking.
• "The Sentence" started as a family project but turned into a larger movement and sparked conversations related to reform in the American judicial system.

Quotes

• '"I am serving a 15-year sentence and I did not commit the crime. I am not a threat to society."
• '"All I have right now is hope, and I hang on to that very tightly."
• '"This isn't about being right or wrong. This is about being somewhere in the middle and finding a way to bring her home."

Music, Soundtrack

• The musical score for "The Sentence" was composed by Sam Bisbee, it helps magnify the emotional ride of the documentary.
• The film uses the sentimental tunes to accompany the painful, yet resilient journey of Cynthia and her family.

Awards

"The Sentence" was recognized for its profound impact and powerful storytelling by winning an Audience Award: U.S. Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018. The film was also nominated for a Critics' Choice Documentary Award for Best First Documentary Feature.