Truth Has Fallen

Systemic failures in the criminal justice apparatus are explored in Sofian's documentary as she follows the work of James McCloskey's Centurion Ministries, an agency that reinvestigates cases in order to free the "convicted innocent," individuals erroneously incarcerated for deadly crimes. Interviews with Joyce, Eddie, and James reveal the circumstances that led to their flawed convictions and what life in prison is like for those who are innocent. Their frank testimony runs against the backdrop of Sofian's haunting animated paintings, giving the film an innovative sensibility. McCloskey speaks of the efforts involved in freeing those wrongly imprisoned, and legal experts discuss how faulty identification procedures, forced confessions, "snitch testimony," and overwhelmed court-appointed lawyers impact the delivery of just verdicts.