Back From the U.S. - A Wild 12 Days Filming ‘Complicit’
That’s a wrap on the U.S. leg for our documentary, Complicit
After 11 airports, 8 TSA encounters, 5 time zones, over 26,000 km flown, around 1,000 miles driven, and five very different American cities — we’re finally back home in Adelaide. A bit bleary-eyed, but full of gratitude, stories, and inspiration.
Our whirlwind U.S. production trip for Complicit — a new feature documentary exploring felony murder and joint enterprise laws — was nothing short of wild and wonderful.
This is a project close to my heart. Arterial Films is producing, while we’re servicing production and post through Watchpost.
The journey began with a bit of trepidation. Given the current political climate in the U.S., the idea of travelling and filming this politically sensitive subject matter — in prisons, courtrooms, and people’s homes — was daunting. But once we cleared U.S. customs, we were met with incredible hospitality, candour, and courage everywhere we went.
Over 12 intense days, we filmed in California, Florida, and Alabama, speaking with people on all sides of these deeply controversial legal doctrines:
– Families of those serving extreme sentences for crimes they didn’t commit
– Individuals behind bars, living the consequences
– Prosecutors, sheriffs, and detectives enforcing the law
– Defence lawyers challenging the system
– And politicians and lawmakers — fighting to preserve the status quo, or working for reform
These laws — felony murder in the U.S., and joint enterprise in the U.K. and Australia — were designed to deter violent crime and uphold public safety. But in practice, they often bypass intent and ignore individual action, instead casting a dangerously wide net of culpability, resulting in draconian and unjust mandatory sentencing.
We’re especially grateful to the individuals who trusted us with their stories on this trip.
Joey Scheer from the Felony Murder Elimination Project welcomed us with warmth and resolve. She shared the story of her son, Tony Vigeant, who is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Tony never held a gun, never fired a shot, never planned or intended for a murder to occur. But under felony murder laws, none of that mattered. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time — and the system refused to acknowledge the difference, locking him up for Felony Murder, with a Life Without Parole sentence.
In Montgomery, Alabama, Brontina Smith opened her heart and home to us, recounting the case of her son Lakeith Smith. At just 15 years old, Lakeith was sentenced to 65 years for the murder of his friend — even though it was police who fired the fatal shot, in the back, while the boy was running away. Brontina’s strength, grace, and refusal to give up moved us all.
We also shared a backyard BBQ with ex-lifers in San Jose, visited a federal prison in California, and sat down with lawyers and advocates on the front lines of justice reform.
This trip wasn’t easy. At every turn we confronted examples of miscarriages of justice, and were forced to reflect on the complex nature of the criminal justice system. However, between the ongoing jet lag there were moments joy and laughter - such is the rewarding rollercoaster of travel. But above all, we came away with a sense of urgency and responsibility. These are not just legal stories — they are human ones. These are not just statistics, these are human beings, all too often serving sentences for crimes they didn’t commit. And so, Complicit is the beginning of a conversation we hope will travel far.
From here, we plan on examining how felony murder laws are currently being reformed in the UK. And then we will look closer to home as we examine joint enterprise laws in Australia.
Huge thanks to:
– Michael Tessari, for filming with care, clarity, and heart
– Simone Deegan, for kick starting and coordinating this incredible journey
– And every single person who opened their doors, their hearts, and their lives to us
Post-production begins now. We can’t wait to share more soon.
Stephen de Villiers
writer/director
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Complicit is currently in production. Developed by Arterial Films and produced in collaboration with Watchpost, the film is supported by a passionate team committed to telling the stories behind the law. To learn more, or to get in touch, via the Watchpost or Arterial Films websites.
To support this project with a tax deductable donation please visit our Documentary Australia page.
