The Chelsea Film Festival, held virtually in NYC from October 15 – 18, has chosen the short film, Compassionate Release – The Ravages of Time, by film writer, director and NYC native Lynn Dow, to screen at this year’s festival.  One of 130 films chosen, the Chelsea Film Festival includes feature, documentary and short films, and virtual reality experiences.  This film’s prison scenes were shot at the former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility at Staten Island Stages, an affiliate of Broadway Stages, located in the Charleston section of Staten Island. When Lynn came to us to film at our facility, we read her script and knew we had to help make this happen.   

Compassionate Release is a largely unfamiliar prison program that enables elderly and terminally ill inmates to obtain parole. The objective is to expedite medical treatment that meets accepted standards of care. The unknown voices of inmates and their grieving families often fall on deaf ears, and death comes prior to release being granted.  

The film captures the story of Carol, played by renowned actor, dancer, singer and Broadway veteran Stephanie Pope, a mother who is raising her twin daughters Janet and Jasmine after the death of their father and husband. The sisters, once inseparable, take different paths that lead to heartbreak.  Janet goes to a prestigious university, while Jasmine falsely confesses to a petty crime she did not commit in order to spare her boyfriend the long sentence for repeat offenders.  Rather than getting a slap on the wrist, Jasmine is found guilty and imprisoned. There, she develops rapidly progressing kidney failure and becomes terminally ill. As Carol fights to bring Jasmine home, Janet once self-involved, leans in to help.

Compassionate Release will compete with 98 U.S. and foreign short films being screened at the Chelsea Film Festival. The Audience Award will be presented during the closing awards ceremony on October 18th. To vote simply create an account on Film Festival+ and watch Compassionate Release. At the end of the film the rating feature will appear on the screen; click the rating you would like to give the film.  The film that receives the highest rating will be the winner. Check out the Compassionate Release  trailer for a sneak peek of this poignant and telling story. And definitely listen for the soundtrack! By special arrangement, Compassionate Release features the Bob Dylan song, I shall Be Released.

The Arthur Kill Prison at the Staten Island Stages, LLC facility has played host to shows and films like Orange is the New Black, Daredevil, Ocean's 8, When They See US, Wu Tang: An American Saga and others, who have used this facility as a backdrop for their story lines needing an authentic penitentiary vibe. Take a tour of the Arthur Kill Prison with The Business Insider associate producer Jake Gabbard.  For more information about hte Chelsea Film Festival click here. Broadway Stages encourages you to support the arts and the many talented individuals that bring us entertainment and awareness on stage or screen, and help to drive our economy.