Li Chia-hua's “Me and My Condemned Son” is a sobering documentary. Focusing on case studies of three people who have either been, or are on, death row, it is a frank and forthright look at the judicial system in Taiwan, and one which smartly ensures it never takes sides aimlessly. With award nominations and festival appearances to its name, this is something well worth a watch.
‘Me and My Condemned Son' is screening at Taiwan Film Festival Berlin
Crucially, this documentary chooses to explore the death penalty in Taiwan. Through three sections, one of a man serving his sentence, one of a man who committed suicide during his waiting period, and one who was executed, it looks, in some detail, at the often controversial judicial sentence which ceases to exist in numerous countries. Whether it is the effect that pending capital punishment can have on a person, or the people hanging on the peripheral of the case, no stone is left unturned in this 75-minute documentary.
The main selling point of “Me and My Condemned Son”, aside from the obvious appeal of its starkly interesting subject matter, is its tranquil openness. Amidst sickening details of truly unimaginable cases, each interviewee brings rational, composed comments to the release, subsequently allowing it to dodge the reefs of hyperbolic drama. Instead, there is an astute calmness with each person involved in the making of this project, all of whom bring a reasonable degree of expertise and nuance to a section of the criminal justice system which more than requires it.
Furthermore, considering the weight of what is talked about throughout the documentary, it is a nice touch to see that the overall runtime clocks in at a dainty 75-minutes. Nothing is overlong, nor are there any superfluous elements which take away from the raw, unfiltered comments provided, which means that the audience stays consistently engaged during something that could easily become too harsh to continue with. Li knows how to draw out the key information from his interviews, and does so with tremendous, breezy success.
Technically, Huang Yi-ling's editing is a real highlight. It seamlessly drifts between interview subjects, knows when to draw the emotions out of whatever goes in between the bleak shots of the prison cells, and helps maintain a sharp pace to proceedings. In the same vein, Li Chia-hua's cinematography, which reaches its apex in the stark fixations of the unforgiving prison cells, ensures that visually, everything is of a very high standard.
In conclusion, “Me and My Condemned Son” is a thoroughly intriguing documentary which delivers in all three of its case studies. It builds excellent momentum and, with a somewhat reserved climax, allows for the audience to leave their viewing experience pondering their opinions on the death penalty.
