The Life of David Gale

Presented by:

Shivansh S. Shrivastava2012ECS35

Directed by:

Alan parker

Written by:

Charles Randolph

Cast

Kevin Spacey

David Gale

Kate Winslet

Bitsey Bloom

Cast

Laura Linney

Constance Harraway

Matt Craven

Dusty Wright

Cast

Gabriel Mann

Zack Stemmons

Rhona Mitra

Berlin

PlotDavid Gale,a Philosophy professor at University of Texas and an activist of Deathwatch,the organisation against capital punishment, is on a death row in Texas for raping a fellow activist and brutally killing her. Bitsey bloom,a young journalist in a major News magazine known for her ability to keep secrets,was brought to Gale for a one-on-one interview,three days prior to his execution,on Gale’s demand. Bloom was explained everything related to case by Gale in three Flashbacks,except one fact which was intended to be revealed after his execution so as to set an example of execution of an innocent,thus prove a great help to Deathwatch and achieve the result of Gale’s and Constance’s life time work.

Storyline» Bitsey Bloom was demanded for an interview with Gale in prison for which she was initially denied by her boss as according to him,an interview with such a person should be a job of a male journalist,but later on she was allowed on a condition that Zack Stemmons will accompany her.» As explained by Gale,He was a Philosophy professor at University of Texas.Berlin,the graduation student,who was going to be expelled from school,offers Gale anything in return if he gave her good grades,which he accepted and in return asks her nothing but to study.» In a graduation party,Gale encounters Berlin who was disappointed at getting expelled from school.She corners and seduces Gale succeding in getting him to have rough sex with her.She then falsely accuses Gale of rape.»Next day Gale loses a debate with Governor of Texas when he is unable to point to an example of a demonstrably innocent man being executed during that governor's term. After losing the debate Gale is arrested and charged with rape. Gale is later acquitted of the charges, however the damage has already been done, and his family, marriage, career and reputation are all destroyed.

» Once again Deathwatch fails to stop the execution of an innocent and this time a 17 years old girl.This was an addition to Gale’s problems brought by the accusations,in his life.Constance is found suffering from Leukemia which is known to her and Gale only.» Constance Harraway consoles him after his life falls apart, and the pair sleep together. However, the next day Harraway is discovered raped and murdered, suffocated by a plastic bag taped over her head.» Bitsey Blooms ,along with Zack Stemmons, investigates the case just to find a tape showing Constance committing suicide. She and Wright,the another Deathwatch activist,are both seen on the videotape, showing that they framed Gale as part of a plan to discredit the death penalty.» Bloom does not find this evidence until the day of Gale's scheduled execution. She tries to give the tape to the authorities in time to stop the execution. She arrives at the prison just as the warden announces that it has already been carried out. The tape is then released, causing a media and political uproar over the execution of an innocent man.» Much later still, a videotape labeled "Off the Record" is delivered to Bloom. This tape shows Gale was involved in plan to prove that innocents are executed.

Human Rights Issues/Violations

» Differentiation on Gender basis. Bitsey Bloom was not allowed to interview Gale in prison.

» Execution of innocents. A number of innocents are executed in United States mostly because they get ineligible lawyers,as stated by Gale in his debate with Governor

» Execution of juveniles. A 17 years old girl was executed.It was a great disappointment to Deathwatch.

Relevant Articles» UDHR- Articles 3,5,11 Right to life and liberty. Freedom from torture or degrading treatment. Right to be considered innocent before proven guilty.

» International covenants on civil and political rights- Articles 6,7 No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

» UN conventions on the rights of child Prohibits death penalty to those below 18 at the time of crime.» In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court declared in Roper v. Simmons that death by execution is unconstitutional for juveniles.

Extra Ordinary Scene

Observations and Conclusion.» Death cant be reverted back.Even if death penalty is needed,it must be carefully judged.

» Capital punishment should be the last punishment one should be subjected to.

» Any accusations somewhere plays role in future trials.Criminal charges against a person,even if proved wrong,harms his social and professional life.

» A person even if acquitted of any criminal charge ,is not accepted by society as innocent.He hardly manages to get rid of the agony and in some cases he might prove threat to his own or others life.

Bibliography/Acknowledgement» www.amnestyusa.org

» www.deathpenalty.org

» www.umn.edu

» www.eji.org

Questions/Queries/Suggestions??