Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox

In the Land of the Free, Vadim Jean’s film about the suffering and injustice inflicted by the state of Louisiana on Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Robert King is a searingly compelling masterclass in documentary making. I had a preview of the film a few weeks ago and when it finished, the small group of us present, sat motionless and in silence for several minutes. The power of this injustice was just so overwhelming, Vadim Jean has marshalled the facts superlatively. America is a great country, but like any western democracy it has its flaws. This case is more than a flaw however, it is a bleeding wound in its heart, a shadow over its soul. Hearing Albert’s voice crying out to be heard after more than 37 years in solitary was like listening to a silent scream. His voice trembling but his courage and nobility intact, he sent his message to the world over the telephone from Angola prison. “Our primary objective,” he says, “is that front gate. That is what we are struggling for and we are actually fighting for our freedom. We are fighting for people to understand that we were framed for a murder that we are totally, completely and actually innocent of.” It was a privilege to write about the case for the Guardian.

Vadim Jean: “Anyone who wants to help right this dreadful injustice should write letters to Herman and Albert expressing their support.”  The letter template, in the only form acceptable to the prison, can be accessed at: www.inthelandofthefreefilm.com from 15 March. Letters to the Governor of Louisiana, Piyush ‘Bobby’ Jindal, may be addressed to: Office of the Governor, PO Box 94004, Baton Rouge, LA 70804, USA. In the Land of the Free is premiered at the Human Rights Watch film festival in Brixton on 24 March and goes on general release on 26 March.