In a Virginia jail’s makeshift recording studio, four men collaborate on an album with Grammy-winning recording artist “Speech” Thomas, from the hip-hop group Arrested Development. 16 BARS offers a rare glimpse at the stories — and songs — that are locked away in our nation’s jails and prisons.
“One of the most emotionally affecting and well-assembled documentaries you’ll ever have the privilege to see…” - Orlando Weekly
“I got some pain up on my name
And it’s waiting to crush me.”
Anthony Johnston “I’m TOO used to this”
“...A hopeful look at the potential power of song and creativity to focus, empower and inspire.” ”
“Lock a dog in cage and mistreat him
What you think gon’ happen
once you release him?”
Teddy KANE
“LOST ONE”
“There is so much talent that it’s almost dizzying.”
“Dead in the water, I went wrong
I’ve been driftin’ way too long”
Garland Carr
“Freedom wind”
PRESS
REVIEW: 16 Bars is actually two movies at once - orlando Weekly
Review: A look inside jailhouse rap with ‘Speech’ of Arrested Development– Los Angeles TIMES
Inmates Find the Beat– NEW YORK TIMES
Film Review: “16 Bars”– LA SENTINEL
‘These men are behind bars...but their voices have to be heard’– NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS
16 Bars gives insight to prison life– ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
SPEECH GIVES VOICE TO INMATES – WAOK RADIO
#DXCLUSIVE: Speech Unveils Powerful Video From "16 Bars" Documentary–HIPHOPDX
RECORDING THE HITS AT RICHMOND CITY JAIL – WVTF VIRGINIA
DOC NYC REVIEW: ’16 BARS’ IS A HEARTBREAKING STORY OF A PATH NOT TAKEN – THE FILM STAGE
IN ‘16 BARS’ GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING HIP-HOP ARTIST COLLABORATES WITH INMATES – NPR MILWAUKEE
RICHMOND GETS A FREE LOOK AT A MUSICAL DOCUMENTARY FILMED WITH PRISONERS AT THE RICHMOND CITY JUSTICE CENTER – STYLE WEEKLY
VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL’S ‘16 BARS’ DISPLAYS CREATIVE ABILITIES OF INMATES – THE CAVALIER DAILY
‘16 BARS’ DOCUMENTARY FILMED AT RICHMOND JAIL TO PREMIERE AT BYRD THEATRE – RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
DOC NYC FILM FEST 2018 LINEUP/TIX – BROOKLYN VEGAN
“SONGS OF REDEMPTION” – RICHMOND FREE PRESS
IN DOCUMENTARY ‘16 BARS,’ ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT RAPPER SPEECH HELPS PRISONERS THROUGH MUSIC – MILAWUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
SPEECH SPENT 10 DAYS IN JAIL TO SHOOT “16 BARS” DOCUMENTARY – HIP HOP DX
A GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST IS WORKING ON NEW ALBUM AT RICHMOND’S JAIL – STYLE WEEKLY
“So listen to these words
When you’re feelin’ like life is over…”
Devonte JAMES
“broken chains”
“Through an unwavering lens, 16 Bars investigates the ways humanity traps itself in a cage through cycles of crime.”
