May. 11, 2002|Germany, United States|91 Min.|R
Genre: Action;Drama;Thriller
Description: “Scenes of the Crime,” a 2001 documentary, is a compelling yet unsettling film that exposes the psychological tactics used to manipulate individuals into confessing to crimes they may not have committed—or crimes that may never have occurred. Directed by Grover Babcock and Blue Hadaegh, this film won the grand jury award at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. It focuses on a specific case to highlight broader issues within the criminal justice system.
The documentary centers on a 10-hour interrogation in Troy, New York, in September 2008, where police officers were determined to extract a confession from Adrian Thomas, who they believed had killed his 4-month-old son. This belief, based on questionable reasoning, led to a disturbing portrayal of the interrogation process.
“Scenes of the Crime” features key excerpts from the interrogation video, complemented by interviews with those involved in the case—police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, jurors, and expert witnesses. The film challenges the assumption that an innocent person would never confess, offering a raw and troubling look at how confessions can be coerced.
Prepare to be outraged by this thought-provoking documentary that raises critical questions about justice, truth, and the power of interrogation.
Cast director: Dominique Forma
Cast actor: Jon Abrahams, Peter Greene, Jeff Bridges, Mädchen Amick, R. Lee Ermey, Morris Chestnut, Henry Rollins, Kerri Randles, Noah Wyle, Lombardo Boyar
Original name: Scenes of the Crime