23: THE TALE OF AN EXONEREE

PART ONE
director. taj rauch.
director of photography. lucky marvel.

1

We begin with Johnny in his old stomping grounds; the neighborhood in Philadelphia where he grew up, where he sold drugs as a teenager, and where he was wrongfully accused of murder by Tauheed Lloyd and the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Department. The audience is introduced to his wife Qiana, his aunt-like figure Ms. Debbie, and his many neighbors who are jubilant to see him finally home. This chapter delves into what Johnny's life was like before his wrongful imprisonment. Part One asks: how does one choose to live when environment breeds choice and innocence assumes perfection? 

PART TWO
director. david dunnington.
director of photography. leah prather.

2

Part Two reveals Johnny's experience from his first day in prison as a teenager sentenced to life without parole to his last day before his release. Johnny opens up to the audience about his relationships in and outside of prison, the support of Qiana, the loss of his mother and brother, and the confession from Tauheed LLoyd that led to his eventual exoneration. Part Two asks: 

PART FOUR
co-directors. nick hatcher & chrissy obell.

4

While living through the global pandemic and American uprising of 2020, Johnny Berry found a group of filmmakers to help him share his story... all of whom were born around the time of his arrest 25 years ago. Part Four is a documentation of the process of making this film. The audience will see Johnny and the young filmmakers come together to bring his story to light, envisaging his experiences -- his staggering losses and hope for the future -- and investigating the layers of privilege at work. Ultimately, “23: The Tale of an Exoneree” will draw an intimate portrait of Johnny Berry against the backdrop of the greater system that almost ate him alive.

PART THREE
director. ang bey.
director of photography. lucky marvel.

3

Part Three explores Johnny's emotions upon re-entering society. He illustrates how he is rebuilding his life presently and what he envisions for a reimagined justice system centered around accountability and rehabilitation rather than profit and punishment. Part Three asks: what does "freedom" look like to Johnny now and what did it look like while he was incarcerated? Can we imagine an alternative to the ravenous prison industrial complex?