The documentary

New Bell prison in Douala, Cameroon was built for a capacity of 800, but now houses nearly 6000 men. This overcrowded location is wall to wall with inmates from all walks of life, and is the backdrop of a story of creativity, artistic expression, and emotional authenticity that is Dione Roach and Steve Happi’s Jail Time Records. The documentary expertly juxtaposes cinema verité scenes of prison life with musical interludes using songs created behind the walls of New Bell. It’s a beautiful, visceral, invigorating movie that is as dynamic and hopeful as it is rage-inducing and heartbreaking. There isn’t a moment in Jail Time Records that isn’t compelling, equally drawing viewers in with the performances and the profiles of specific artists/inmates.