ROLE: Writer, Director, Producer / PROJECT TYPE: Documentary / PROJECT STAGE: Completed / WEBSITE: www.justpunishment.com.au
In 2005 Van Nguyen, a 24 year-old Australian, was hanged by the state of Singapore for trafficking 396 grams of heroin. Despite capital punishment being commonplace throughout Asia, Australia itself abandoned the death penalty in 1985 and it had been 12 years since an Australian citizen faced a state sanctioned execution. The media interest was intense, diplomatic tension ensued and public opinion was split. Just Punishment reveals the story behind the media face of Van Nguyen and the remarkable journey to try and keep him alive.
SCREENED: Documentary Edge Film Festival, Human Rights Arts Film Festival, ABC TV, ABC iview, Crime & Punishment Network (USA).