Advertisement

Movies & TV

>>> Southwest of Salem: The Story Of The San Antonio Four

SOUTHWEST OF SALEM: THE STORY OF THE SAN ANTONIO FOUR (Deborah S. Esquenazi, U.S.). 89 minutes. Rating: NNNN


As America fell into a panic about Satanic ritual (and thanks also to a climate of homophobia), four Latina lesbians were convicted in the late 90s of gang raping two children and received sentences of 16 to 37 years.

Deborah S. Esquenazi’s infuriating film details the trumped-up charges, how the alleged victims were manipulated by a jealous father and the way the judge caved even though there was barely a shred of evidence to convict the accused.

She scores when she’s able to catch one of the “survivors” recanting her testimony and stays with the women through their exoneration hearing, which take place – unbelievably – in front of the same judge who convicted them. This movie is as much a condemnation of the justice system as it is a celebration of the accused women’s courage.

You’re gonna get really mad. 

May 4, 6:30 pm, Bloor Hot Docs May 5, 10 am, TIFF 1 May 8, 12:45 pm TIFF 1 

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.