For Immediate Release:
March 8, 2002

A Sentence of Their Own Wins CINE GOLDEN EAGLE Award

Washington, D.C. — EDGAR A. BARENS was presented with a CINE Golden Eagle Award at the 43rd Golden Eagle Awards ceremony held Friday, March 8.

The program honored "A Sentence of Their Own " in the Non-Broadcast - Public Affairs category. This is Barens’ first CINE Award, which recognize excellence in production throughout the film industry.

"I am deeply committed to producing films that both explore contemporary social issues and grip the heartstrings of the viewer," states Edgar A. Barens, Director and Producer of A Sentence of Their Own. "It is very rewarding to see this film and the folks that worked so diligently on it, receive recognition. Of course the making of this film would not have been possible if it were not for the family who opened their lives and hearts to me so that I could bring their story to the screen"

"A Sentence of Their Own" directed and produced by Barens was funded by The Open Society Institute. The film chronicled one family's annual pilgrimage to a New Hampshire State Prison and revealed the damaging impact incarceration has on families.

This powerful film made visible what is rarely seen, the gradual descent of a family "doing time" on the outside, and called for a closer examination and deeper understanding of our growing use of incarceration and its impact on families, communities, and our culture at large. Ira Meistrich was the editor on the project.

CINE, with its Golden Eagle and Eagle Awards, has recognized excellence in the craft of video/film production since its establishment in 1957. The CINE Golden Eagle is awarded to professional filmmakers in 21 categories for outstanding creative and technical merit.


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