“a death in the family” (1999)

This one-hour film looks at the effect on a Midwestern American family when one of its members is executed. In October 1997, Alan (A.J.) Bannister was put to death by lethal injection in Missouri. The film follows A.J.’s family as they travel to witness his execution. Eight eye-witnesses give a chilling account of that night. Achingly evocative black and white images by award-winning photographer Jane Evelyn Atwood capture the days before and after A.J.’s funeral. One year later, we revisit the Bannister family, and that of his victim, Darrell Ruestman, to discover what the effect of the execution has been on both families.

Produced for CENTER-TV (Germany).

·        Non-theatrical distribution in the USA by FILMAKERS LIBRARY INC.