netflix acquires rights to cyntoia brown documentary

Busy at work as always, streaming giant Netflix has acquired the rights to a documentary which chronicles the incarceration and fight for clemency of Cyntoia Brown. After having explored Brown’s case in Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story back in 2011 as part of PBS’ Independent Lens series, director Daniel H. Birman is diving deeper with a yet-to-be-titled doc.

Arrested in Nashville at age 16 for murdering a 43-year-old man who had solicited her for sex, Brown was tried as an adult, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Thankfully, nearly 15 years later and nearly 10 years of legal challenges, Gov. Bill Haslam granted her request for clemency earlier this year. This happened largely because of the tireless Black and brown activists who have been fighting for Brown’s freedom and kept her story at the forefront of our minds.

“I am thankful for all the support, prayers, and encouragement I have received,” Cyntonia said in an official statement soon after her clemency was announced. “I am thankful to my lawyers and their staffs, and all the others who, for the last decade have freely given their time and expertise to help me get to this day. I love all of you and will be forever grateful. With God’s help, I am committed to live the rest of my life helping others, especially young people. My hope is to help other young girls avoid ending up where I have been.”

Brown is scheduled to be released from prison on August 7th.