Poignant prison drama

Navnee Likhi

Elegantly shot, Nigerian filmmaker Chinonye Chukwu’s debut feature film Clemency explores how executions effect everyone, be it directly or otherwise. The film, however, does not debate on executions and instead attempts to accurately depict the collateral damage of the imperfect system of justice. The film takes an unapologetic look at the toll taken on prison wardens who carry out the executions. The story centres on Bernadine Williams, an African American woman who works as a prison warden at a high security prison, the location of which is not specified. Bernadine is an efficient prison warden, who has overseen some dozen executions. She does her job with precision, without an outcry of sentimentality. The film maintains a quiet, steady pace and rhythm of a woman who is consumed by the anguishing routine of her job. 

The film begins with an emotional scene showing a botched up execution of an inmate. Bernadine walks the corridor approaching the execution room with a composed stoic look and waits to hear from the governor’s office on prisoner Victor Jimnze’s fate who has been convicted of kidnapping and murder. Bernadine silently surveys the condemned man, who will be strapped before he is administered a lethal injection. Despite his mother’s hope, he does not receive last-minute reprieve on the day of execution. Bernadine tends to inmate’s mother while the guards shift him to the chamber. Even after thorough checks, the execution goes awry. The medics attempt to put theintravenous injectioncontaining a mixture of drugs on him in the artery through his stomach which causes him shooting pain and blood spurts, and his body contorts. Alex declines his right to make a final statement. He dies in agony. Bernadine and her staff are traumatised and can barely control their emotions. An investigation is ordered into the execution.

Bernadine has to focus on other needs of the prison, and she learns about another death row convict Anthony Woods. The media glare and public outcry due to Alex’s case heighten the tension around the approaching execution of Anthony Woods, and his last judicial appeal is refused. Bernadine being a public officer has to go by the rule book with no exceptions, but she does sympathise with Anthony who is a young African American man and has recently lost his mother. He appears to have no other relatives. He was convicted of killing a police officer. The evidence in his case is considered to be foolproof. His only regular visitor is frumpy, ageing lawyer Mary Lumetta, who is so disheartened by Anthony’s fate that he plans to retire after his case comes to a close. The lawyer is exasperated about her strict observance of prescribed law and procedure. She says to him, “She is powerless and cannot save the inmates lives”. 

Bernadine loses her touch with the human connection because her job so often requires to end it. Anthony’s execution will be her 12th, after having overseen 11 other executions during her long service at the prison. When asked by her colleague how she continues with her job, Bernadine says, “It’s my job, and I give these men respect all the way through”.

In a mask-like commitment to the procedure, she orders her guards to ask inmates as to what they would like to eat for their last meal, bacon, steak or lobsters.

Loss of hope makes Anthony uncommunicative and declines to take the last meal. He doesn’t also tell about a place where he would like to be buried. Anthony opens up on his lawyer’s visit, thereby showing his gratitude for fighting a long legal battle for him. There are moving, intense scenes also when Anthony’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Brooks visits him. Bernadine’s scenes with Anthony are touching as well. As she prepares for procedural details of his execution, she maintains her professional distance while showing sympathy towards Anthony in an unspoken way. He responds to her with simple words, “Thank you”, how biased American legal system is! During this time, Bernadine struggles to keep her life from falling apart. She suffers from insomnia and often drinks after work with her deputy warden. At one occasion, she gets so drunk that she can’t stop talking about the work. Memories of the sole executions haunt Bernadine with solitary night terrors. The story does not have any melodrama for the most part of the film.

Director Chinonye Chukwu spent four years researching true death row issues to complete the script of her film. The sober tone set by cinematographer Eric Branco matches the seriousness of the subject. Kathryn Bostics subtle background score coupled with fluid editing by Phyllis Housen heighten the visuals in the film. Alfre Woodard portraying the role of Bernadine Williams gives a flawless performance and makes one wonder where this staunch woman embodying both fortitude and suffering can go and find redemption within herself.

Clemency is an astonishing portrayal of a story that is often ignored out of ignorance or spite, that humanises the given situations with compassion.