In October 2019, JR received unprecedented permission to work in one of California’s most violent maximum security prisons: Tehachapi. There, he met with a group of 28 incarcerated men, and together they created a massive mural that transformed the prison yard. JR’s new feature documentary, Tehachapi, follows the collaborative, large-scale art projects he created with these men over the course of three years. It reveals how art can serve as a unifying force of hope, demonstrates the capacity of individuals to change, and offers a poignant look at the humanity behind prison bars.
After premiering at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival, Tehachapi will be released in cinemas across France on June 12th, 2024. Be among the first to experience the film by attending one of the previews taking place over the next two weeks. A selection of screenings will include post-screening discussions with JR and Kevin Walsh, a protagonist in the film who was formerly incarcerated at Tehachapi.
