Herman's House

Herman's House is a unique and deeply moving documentary set against the chilling backdrop of the American penal system. First released in 2012, this compelling film was directed by Canadian filmmaker Angad Bhalla and features central figures Jackie Sumell and Herman Wallace.

The film takes its viewers on a journey of art, justice, and friendship, presenting a raw look at the power of human connection and resilience when faced with institutionalized injustice. Herman's House represents a journey of discovery, challenging viewers to re-evaluate their perspectives on the concept of freedom.

This gripping documentary begins with a simple question posed by New York artist Jackie Sumell to Herman Wallace, a man who at the time of filming had spent over 30 years in solitary confinement: "What kind of house does an individual who has lived in a 6-foot-by-9-foot cell for over 30 years dream of?" In this powerful narrative, Herman's House emerges not only as a metaphor for dream and hope against seemingly insurmountable adversities but also as a beacon probing at the core issues of human rights, America's prison-industrial complex, and solitary confinement.

Herman Wallace, one of the key voices of the film, was a member of the Black Panther party who was controversially sentenced to life imprisonment for the alleged murder of a prison guard in the infamous Angola Prison, Louisiana. His character embodies resilience, and through the pained lens of his experience, we engage in provocative conversations about freedom, punishment, and the human spirit.

Meanwhile, Jackie Sumell, a flamboyant and compassionate artist, takes center stage as the driving force behind the Herman's House project. She becomes deeply invested in Herman’s predicament and infuses their communications with her caring personality, doing her best to humanize his existence.

Jackie's intricate and sensitive rendering of Herman's dream house, symbolizing his longing for freedom, is a touching testament to their extraordinary friendship. This project's inception becomes a symbol, a political statement, and a public work of art. Moreover, it morphs into a profound and unanticipated friendship between Jackie and Herman, dissolving barriers of racial, social, and serial injustice.

Bhalla's film unfurls with an assured touch — the relationship between Jackie and Herman develops organically, and the viewer is offered glimpses into their symbiotic, expressive world. It presents a striking critique of the institutional failings within the United States justice system and raises compelling questions about solitary confinement's humanity and its long-term psychological effects.

The director handles these heavy themes with thoughtful sensitivity, allowing viewers to witness the harsh realities Herman has experienced against the backdrop of Jackie's relentless struggle to bring Herman's House to life. The film's compelling nature doesn't just lie in its subject matter, but also in its compelling storytelling and powerful emotional fabric, delicately stitched together by its human characters, their interactions, dreams, and hopes.

Equally engaging are the depictions of Jackie's interaction with the New Orleans community where she seeks to build Herman’s dream home. These scenes importantly add further layers of humanity to the narrative and subtly underline the importance of community in transforming dreams and hopes into reality.

Herman's House compels us to meditate on how we treat those on the fringes of society, and the extremes of what we deem humane and inhumane punish. It is an indictment of the U.S. penal system and a tribute to the indomitable human spirit.

Herman's House reminds us that, in the midst of societal injustices, the power of dreams and friendships can break through the most hardened barriers. While drawing attention to the alarming conditions in which many convicts live, it inspires change and encourages us to empathize, understand, and reclaim our faith in humanity.

While this unforgettable film may leave you with a heavy heart, it also celebrates the power of dreams and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. In doing so, it leaves its viewers with a vital spark of hope and a call to action.