shocked by the picture of the bald corruption, ineptitude and absurdity that pass for a trial in México. The film will have its theatrical release in México this fall.
Presumed Guilty is a seat-of-your-pants telling of one miscarriage of justice and what it took to fix it, and a startling challenge to the system that produced it. It is also a cautionary tale about what can happen when police cross the line in the name of fighting crime, when power is exercised in the shadows and when the presumption of guilt is placed on the accused rather than the accuser.
“This film also demonstrates that people can defeat overwhelming odds when they trust and support each other,” says director Hernández. “Antonio had the courage to trust two young and relatively privileged Mexicans with his fate. And in turn, the filmmaking process brought an unexpected meaning to his ordeal: the promise that everyone could see this farcical legal system for what it is.”
Though gratified by the film’s role in freeing Zúñiga, Hernández notes, “It’s an expensive way to fix injustice in México. Our hope is to pass a law requiring every interrogation and every criminal trial in México to be videotaped.”
Producer Negrete adds, “So many Mexicans believe that we have an American courtroom — that we will have the prosecutor, the defense, the judge and the trial. They believe that! Because they have never been in contact with a trial.”
“This is a David and Goliath story of two people who took on a system,” says co-director Smith. “It’s beautiful and so heartfelt. At screenings, you can see the righteous indignation. People are angry, but they also want to channel that anger and do something about it.”
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