My first letter to Kenneth Young was to ask him to participate in a documentary. His lawyer Paolo Annino had spoken to me on the phone and reviewed my most recent film. He met with Kenneth to discuss my request, but ultimately the decision was Kenneth's. Kenneth agreed to let me film his resentencing not knowing what the result of his hearing or the film would be. As a filmmaker, I'm always humbled when someone trusts in me to tell their story. In this case I was particularly moved, given what was at stake for this young man.
Relationships between filmmakers and subjects are inherently difficult to navigate. You have to build trust, but remain objective. Building a rapport with Kenneth was challenging, because of the physical barriers. I live in Canada 1,300 miles from Kenneth's "home". Other than seeing Kenneth in court, I was only in his presence one other time - when I was permitted to interview him at Falkenburg Jail. For these reasons, I really got to know Kenneth Young through letters. I want to share some of what I have learned about Kenneth over the past two years.
— 15 to Life filmmaker Nadine Pequeneza:
July 4, 2012
"...if you was to send me a book it has to come straight from the book company, but no that would be nice to start a book club..."
I thought starting a book club would be a good way for us to talk about a wide range of subjects, and also give him a window onto the world that he would one day rejoin.
September 8, 2012
"He told me to make sure i read "Angels and Demons"... Also he said it is a little better than "the Da Vinci Code," so you already no we must read that book!!! *LOL*"
The first book I sent Kenneth was The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown.
I knew Kenneth had a strong faith in God, and also liked adventure books — something he shared with the warden who testified at his resentencing.
Kenneth is a voracious reader. He has an insatiable appetite for learning, and a boundless curiosity. Our reading list is diverse; including: The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou, Standing at the Scratch Line, The Glass Castle: A Memoir and Long Walk to Freedom.
September 8, 2012
"i don't have a problem that at all if you was wondering how i would feel about that situation..."
Over time Kenneth showed that he was completely open to me delving into his past. When I decided to ask Jacque Bethea, his older co-defendant for an interview, I felt it was important to be upfront with Kenneth, even though I was fearful that it would damage our relationship. This is what he had to say.
January 23, 2013
"...the difference is Mr. Mandela stood up for a righteous movement and me i am trying to correct my flaws as a juvenile and trying to save the youth of todays world from the same traps i fell into!!!"
Talking to Kenneth about books makes me think about what his life might have been like if he had been exposed to more ideas, more things beyond his neighborhood block in North Tampa.
June 11, 2013
"We really just did alot of joken around that is something i always do with my sister kids, but i really did enjoy myself..."
Kenneth also has a remarkably positive outlook. His letters always focus on the good things that are happening in his life. He rarely discusses what's troubling him.
I learned through his lawyers that he was having difficulty with a guard, and had been placed in solitary confinement, but he never spoke about this. Instead he talked about visits with his family and what was happening with the film.
June 22, 2013
"So you no looken at great men like "Nelson Mandela" and "Ernest" that give me motivation to man-up and want to take on life obstacles..."
January 27, 2014
"did you see "Nelson Mandella" has past? Yeah that really made me sad!!!"
At the time of Kenneth's last letter, we were planning a visit. I filled out the necessary forms to get on the prison's visitor list, but before I could be approved Kenneth was moved to another facility. Now he's just outside Fort Myers, closer to his family. Hopefully they'll be able to visit more often.
June 5, 2014
The last letter I wrote to Kenneth was to say happy birthday.
This past June he turned 29. He's adapting slowly to the new prison. It's his third in three years. Every time he moves it's a big adjustment — new guards, new inmates, new set of rules. Some of Kenneth's victims are still fearful of the child that terrorized them. I wish they could get to know him as an adult.
"
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Filmmaker Nadine Pequeneza and Kenneth Young
My first letter to Kenneth Young was to ask him to participate in a documentary. His lawyer Paolo Annino had spoken to me on the phone and reviewed my most recent film. He met with Kenneth to discuss my request, but ultimately the decision was Kenneth's. Kenneth agreed to let me film his resentencing not knowing what the result of his hearing or the film would be. As a filmmaker, I'm always humbled when someone trusts in me to tell their story. In this case I was particularly moved, given what was at stake for this young man.
Relationships between filmmakers and subjects are inherently difficult to navigate. You have to build trust, but remain objective. Building a rapport with Kenneth was challenging, because of the physical barriers. I live in Canada 1,300 miles from Kenneth's "home". Other than seeing Kenneth in court, I was only in his presence one other time - when I was permitted to interview him at Falkenburg Jail. For these reasons, I really got to know Kenneth Young through letters. I want to share some of what I have learned about Kenneth over the past two years.
— 15 to Life filmmaker Nadine Pequeneza:
July 4, 2012
"...if you was to send me a book it has to come straight from the book company, but no that would be nice to start a book club..."
I thought starting a book club would be a good way for us to talk about a wide range of subjects, and also give him a window onto the world that he would one day rejoin.
September 8, 2012
"He told me to make sure i read "Angels and Demons"... Also he said it is a little better than "the Da Vinci Code," so you already no we must read that book!!! *LOL*"
The first book I sent Kenneth was The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown.
I knew Kenneth had a strong faith in God, and also liked adventure books — something he shared with the warden who testified at his resentencing.
Kenneth is a voracious reader. He has an insatiable appetite for learning, and a boundless curiosity. Our reading list is diverse; including: The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou, Standing at the Scratch Line, The Glass Castle: A Memoir and Long Walk to Freedom.
September 8, 2012
"i don't have a problem that at all if you was wondering how i would feel about that situation..."
Over time Kenneth showed that he was completely open to me delving into his past. When I decided to ask Jacque Bethea, his older co-defendant for an interview, I felt it was important to be upfront with Kenneth, even though I was fearful that it would damage our relationship. This is what he had to say.
January 23, 2013
"...the difference is Mr. Mandela stood up for a righteous movement and me i am trying to correct my flaws as a juvenile and trying to save the youth of todays world from the same traps i fell into!!!"
Talking to Kenneth about books makes me think about what his life might have been like if he had been exposed to more ideas, more things beyond his neighborhood block in North Tampa.
June 11, 2013
"We really just did alot of joken around that is something i always do with my sister kids, but i really did enjoy myself..."
Kenneth also has a remarkably positive outlook. His letters always focus on the good things that are happening in his life. He rarely discusses what's troubling him.
I learned through his lawyers that he was having difficulty with a guard, and had been placed in solitary confinement, but he never spoke about this. Instead he talked about visits with his family and what was happening with the film.
June 22, 2013
"So you no looken at great men like "Nelson Mandela" and "Ernest" that give me motivation to man-up and want to take on life obstacles..."
January 27, 2014
"did you see "Nelson Mandella" has past? Yeah that really made me sad!!!"
At the time of Kenneth's last letter, we were planning a visit. I filled out the necessary forms to get on the prison's visitor list, but before I could be approved Kenneth was moved to another facility. Now he's just outside Fort Myers, closer to his family. Hopefully they'll be able to visit more often.
June 5, 2014
The last letter I wrote to Kenneth was to say happy birthday.
This past June he turned 29. He's adapting slowly to the new prison. It's his third in three years. Every time he moves it's a big adjustment — new guards, new inmates, new set of rules. Some of Kenneth's victims are still fearful of the child that terrorized them. I wish they could get to know him as an adult.
My first letter to Kenneth Young was to ask him to participate in a documentary. His lawyer Paolo Annino had spoken to me on the phone and reviewed my most recent film. He met with Kenneth to discuss my request, but ultimately the decision was Kenneth's. Kenneth agreed to let me film his resentencing not knowing what the result of his hearing or the film would be. As a filmmaker, I'm always humbled when someone trusts in me to tell their story. In this case I was particularly moved, given what was at stake for this young man.
Relationships between filmmakers and subjects are inherently difficult to navigate. You have to build trust, but remain objective. Building a rapport with Kenneth was challenging, because of the physical barriers. I live in Canada 1,300 miles from Kenneth's "home". Other than seeing Kenneth in court, I was only in his presence one other time - when I was permitted to interview him at Falkenburg Jail. For these reasons, I really got to know Kenneth Young through letters. I want to share some of what I have learned about Kenneth over the past two years.
— 15 to Life filmmaker Nadine Pequeneza:
July 4, 2012
"...if you was to send me a book it has to come straight from the book company, but no that would be nice to start a book club..."
I thought starting a book club would be a good way for us to talk about a wide range of subjects, and also give him a window onto the world that he would one day rejoin.
September 8, 2012
"He told me to make sure i read "Angels and Demons"... Also he said it is a little better than "the Da Vinci Code," so you already no we must read that book!!! *LOL*"
The first book I sent Kenneth was The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown.
I knew Kenneth had a strong faith in God, and also liked adventure books — something he shared with the warden who testified at his resentencing.
Kenneth is a voracious reader. He has an insatiable appetite for learning, and a boundless curiosity. Our reading list is diverse; including: The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou, Standing at the Scratch Line, The Glass Castle: A Memoir and Long Walk to Freedom.
September 8, 2012
"i don't have a problem that at all if you was wondering how i would feel about that situation..."
Over time Kenneth showed that he was completely open to me delving into his past. When I decided to ask Jacque Bethea, his older co-defendant for an interview, I felt it was important to be upfront with Kenneth, even though I was fearful that it would damage our relationship. This is what he had to say.
January 23, 2013
"...the difference is Mr. Mandela stood up for a righteous movement and me i am trying to correct my flaws as a juvenile and trying to save the youth of todays world from the same traps i fell into!!!"
Talking to Kenneth about books makes me think about what his life might have been like if he had been exposed to more ideas, more things beyond his neighborhood block in North Tampa.
June 11, 2013
"We really just did alot of joken around that is something i always do with my sister kids, but i really did enjoy myself..."
Kenneth also has a remarkably positive outlook. His letters always focus on the good things that are happening in his life. He rarely discusses what's troubling him.
I learned through his lawyers that he was having difficulty with a guard, and had been placed in solitary confinement, but he never spoke about this. Instead he talked about visits with his family and what was happening with the film.
June 22, 2013
"So you no looken at great men like "Nelson Mandela" and "Ernest" that give me motivation to man-up and want to take on life obstacles..."
January 27, 2014
"did you see "Nelson Mandella" has past? Yeah that really made me sad!!!"
At the time of Kenneth's last letter, we were planning a visit. I filled out the necessary forms to get on the prison's visitor list, but before I could be approved Kenneth was moved to another facility. Now he's just outside Fort Myers, closer to his family. Hopefully they'll be able to visit more often.
June 5, 2014
The last letter I wrote to Kenneth was to say happy birthday.
This past June he turned 29. He's adapting slowly to the new prison. It's his third in three years. Every time he moves it's a big adjustment — new guards, new inmates, new set of rules. Some of Kenneth's victims are still fearful of the child that terrorized them. I wish they could get to know him as an adult.
My first letter to Kenneth Young was to ask him to participate in a documentary. His lawyer Paolo Annino had spoken to me on the phone and reviewed my most recent film. He met with Kenneth to discuss my request, but ultimately the decision was Kenneth's. Kenneth agreed to let me film his resentencing not knowing what the result of his hearing or the film would be. As a filmmaker, I'm always humbled when someone trusts in me to tell their story. In this case I was particularly moved, given what was at stake for this young man.
Relationships between filmmakers and subjects are inherently difficult to navigate. You have to build trust, but remain objective. Building a rapport with Kenneth was challenging, because of the physical barriers. I live in Canada 1,300 miles from Kenneth's "home". Other than seeing Kenneth in court, I was only in his presence one other time - when I was permitted to interview him at Falkenburg Jail. For these reasons, I really got to know Kenneth Young through letters. I want to share some of what I have learned about Kenneth over the past two years.
— 15 to Life filmmaker Nadine Pequeneza:
July 4, 2012
"...if you was to send me a book it has to come straight from the book company, but no that would be nice to start a book club..."
I thought starting a book club would be a good way for us to talk about a wide range of subjects, and also give him a window onto the world that he would one day rejoin.
September 8, 2012
"He told me to make sure i read "Angels and Demons"... Also he said it is a little better than "the Da Vinci Code," so you already no we must read that book!!! *LOL*"
The first book I sent Kenneth was The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown.
I knew Kenneth had a strong faith in God, and also liked adventure books — something he shared with the warden who testified at his resentencing.
Kenneth is a voracious reader. He has an insatiable appetite for learning, and a boundless curiosity. Our reading list is diverse; including: The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou, Standing at the Scratch Line, The Glass Castle: A Memoir and Long Walk to Freedom.
September 8, 2012
"i don't have a problem that at all if you was wondering how i would feel about that situation..."
Over time Kenneth showed that he was completely open to me delving into his past. When I decided to ask Jacque Bethea, his older co-defendant for an interview, I felt it was important to be upfront with Kenneth, even though I was fearful that it would damage our relationship. This is what he had to say.
January 23, 2013
"...the difference is Mr. Mandela stood up for a righteous movement and me i am trying to correct my flaws as a juvenile and trying to save the youth of todays world from the same traps i fell into!!!"
Talking to Kenneth about books makes me think about what his life might have been like if he had been exposed to more ideas, more things beyond his neighborhood block in North Tampa.
June 11, 2013
"We really just did alot of joken around that is something i always do with my sister kids, but i really did enjoy myself..."
Kenneth also has a remarkably positive outlook. His letters always focus on the good things that are happening in his life. He rarely discusses what's troubling him.
I learned through his lawyers that he was having difficulty with a guard, and had been placed in solitary confinement, but he never spoke about this. Instead he talked about visits with his family and what was happening with the film.
June 22, 2013
"So you no looken at great men like "Nelson Mandela" and "Ernest" that give me motivation to man-up and want to take on life obstacles..."
January 27, 2014
"did you see "Nelson Mandella" has past? Yeah that really made me sad!!!"
At the time of Kenneth's last letter, we were planning a visit. I filled out the necessary forms to get on the prison's visitor list, but before I could be approved Kenneth was moved to another facility. Now he's just outside Fort Myers, closer to his family. Hopefully they'll be able to visit more often.
June 5, 2014
The last letter I wrote to Kenneth was to say happy birthday.
This past June he turned 29. He's adapting slowly to the new prison. It's his third in three years. Every time he moves it's a big adjustment — new guards, new inmates, new set of rules. Some of Kenneth's victims are still fearful of the child that terrorized them. I wish they could get to know him as an adult.
