Netflix has acquired a documentary that will chronicle Cyntoia Brown’s incarceration and fight for clemency.
Daniel H. Birman is directing the feature, after having explored Brown’s story in Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story, which aired in 2011 as a part of PBS’ Independent Lens series.
In the yet-to-be-titled doc, Briman will document the still-ongoing updates in Brown’s story, which began in 2004, when a then 16-year-old Brown was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, for murdering a 43-year-old man who solicited her for sex. Brown was tried as an adult, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. But this year, after nearly 10 years of legal challenges, Gov. Bill Haslam granted her request for clemency. He did so following a slow shift in the state for legislative change in juvenile sentencing laws and having seen evidence of her maturity, education and good behavior as a prisoner.
Brown’s case earned national attention, with Amy Schumer, Kim Kardashian West, Viola Davis and Ashley Judd calling for clemency. The film will also include Brown’s upcoming release from prison, which is set for August.
Birman is executive producing the doc, with Susy Garciasalas Barkley acting as producer and Megan Chao as supervising producer.
