Cultures of Incarceration: Into the Abyss

Watch Trailer Director: Werner Herzog
Cast: Werner Herzog, Richard Lopez, Michael Perry
Awards: Winner of BFI Grierson Award

This screening is part of the “Cultures of Incarceration Series”, presented by the Center for Law, Justice and Culture at Ohio University. “Cultures of Incarceration” is a three-film series showing at the Athena this spring and features three titles: THE HOUSE I LIVE IN, INTO THE ABYSS, and FOLLOW ME DOWN.

Into the Abyss

In his fascinating exploration of a triple homicide case in Conroe, Texas, master filmmaker Werner Herzog probes the human psyche to explore why people kill—and why a state kills. In intimate conversations with those involved, including 28-year-old death row inmate Michael Perry, Herzog achihieves what he describes as “a gaze into the abyss of the human soul.” Herzog’s inquiries also extend to the families of the victims and perpetrators as well as a state executioner and pastor who’ve been with death row prisoners as they’ve taken their final breaths. As he’s so often done before, Herzog’s investigation unveils layers of humanity, making an enlightening trip out of ominous territory.

“A disquieting, heartbreaking look at American crime and punishment.”-Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter