402 - AV documentary from Punkvert

AV Documentary about Death Row, Death Masks, Art, Love and the Human Condition.

See the trailer here

Watch the entire film here

Punkvert's latest film creation is "402" - an AV documentary about the death of John Joe Amador - "Ash" to his friends.

Ash was executed by the State of Texas on 29th August 2007. The Baroness von Reichardt accompanied Ash's wife Linda in the Huntsville Death Chamber. After the execution artist Nick Reynolds made a death mask of Ash, with full permission and blessing of Ash and all his friends and family.

Paul Blackwood and other members of the group captured this both most sorrowful and amazing event on camera. The tale unfolds in the film and is one of the strangest creations yet screened in British underground cinemas.

402 the film came out Autumn 2008 and premiered to a packed house at the Portobello Film Festival on the 10th September at Inn On the Green. with no seats left in the house, supporters came to sit on the floor and stand throughout the 77 minute film.

The AV nature of the film and the original score composed by Paul Blackwood is complimented with music from Dizzi DulcimerSandy DillonThe Doomed Bird of ProvidenceNick ReynoldsAlabama 3Tom Antonaanarchistwood and nomeansno.

At PFF 08 - (from left) Nick Reynolds, Baroness von Reichardt, Bruce Reynolds, Emma Blackwood and Paul Blackwood photo by Jeanne Ndour

Interviewees in the film include Tony Benn, Paul Blackwood, Gerry Conlon, Paddy Hill, Arthur Mallinson, Billy Moore, Lisa Prieto, Nick Reynolds, Carrie Richards, Clive Stafford Smith, Lucinda Wild, Jim Willett, Connie Wright.

Photo Contributions come from Dave Maass

Nick Reynolds inspects the mould made from Ash in Texas Image - Paul Blackwood

from top left - Nick Reynolds, Connie Wright, Lucinda Wild, Matt, Carrie Richards, Lisa Prieto, Paul Blackwood, Linda Amador

"Each year at Portobello I rediscover the magic of the movies. And this year there were two films that I particularly enjoyed.

The first was a film called `That Samba Thing' by Teddy Hayes. Over 100 people stayed till 11.30pm on a Sunday night to find out how the story ended. `That Samba Thing' is a lovely film and a pleasure to watch.

My second magic moment was watching `#402' a documentary about an execution in the USA. The film pulled no punches. We saw a person on screen who had been executed. Yet humanity and commitment shone
through. It is a brilliant piece of passionate, haunting, political film making. Anyone who saw that movie won't forget it in a hurry. I haven't seen a better film this year.
"

Geoff Mann - Portobello Film Festival 2008