Helen at Risk

Narrative Short

Director: Gedney Webb & Jim Elliot

RT: 14:00mins

Thursday September 27 8:45PM

Synopsis:

Helen Briggs ( Didi Conn ) volunteers to conduct a mask-making workshop at the state penitentiary. She’s taught fifth graders, how much harder could a group of prisoners be? Trusting in her empathy and faith in the power of Art, she believes that she can make a difference. Helen’s resolve is tested immediately at the security desk by a short-tempered guard (William C. Mitchell). Once in the workshop another guard provides little help as she is harassed by one prisoner and challenged by another. While these two inmates make her life difficult, her subject, the rambunctious inmate Ronnie Guyette (Armando Riesco), will simply not be still. With the rest of the prisoners barely listening, Helen realizes that she’s not in junior high anymore.

As she struggles to convey her empathy for the prisoners, Helen is forced to question her own faith in the redemptive power of Art. Will the guard give her some support? Can she win the prisoners over? Can she overcome her own nerves?

One woman in a room full of prisoners: anything can happen. 

Principle Cast:

Didi Conn
Lead Actor

Armando Riesco
Supporting Actor