AWARD-WINNING South Australian documentary Prisoners And Pups will be screened at Mount Gambier City Hall next week.
Tracing the highs and lows of a small group of prisoners who have only eight weeks to transform retired racing greyhounds into obedient, house-friendly pets, the documentary was shot and directed by renowned Adelaide filmmaker Shalom Almond.
Prisoners and Pups follows five prisoners from the Adelaide Women’s Prison as they foster the former racing greyhounds to get them ready for adoption.
The dogs, born into breeding kennels, have never known the sights and sounds of life beyond the track.
Trained as racing dogs, they need to learn how to assimilate and become companions to humans in the next stage of their lives.
For the women, this is their last chance too.
Some have spent most of their lives behind bars and others are first-time offenders.
While consistent themes of substance abuse and violence echo throughout their stories, the hardest test turns out to be facing up to themselves.
Can the prisoners and the dogs work together to prepare for their new lives outside?
Director Shalom Almond said she was excited to share her experience with these women and dogs with regional South Australia.
“Having the unique opportunity of being granted access into the women’s prison was a great privilege and to be able to follow and connect with both these women and greyhounds on their journey towards mutual rehabilitation and a second chance at life was extraordinary,” Ms Almond said.
“I am thrilled to take this film on the road to regional South Australia to share this inspiring and hopeful story with new audiences and diverse communities.”
A question and answer session with filmmaker Shalom Almond will follow the screening.
She will discuss her experiences behind the scenes, as well as the triumphs and challenges of rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
Prisoners and Pups will screen at Mont Gambier City Hall on Wednesday at 7.30pm.
