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What These Walls Won’t Hold

Directors

Adamu Chan

Executive Producers

Pete Nicks

Producers

Christian Collins

Editors

Yeon Park

Cinematographers

Adamu Chan

Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adamu Chan’s powerful documentary, What These Walls Won’t Hold, transcends the pandemic, instead shining a light on the transformative power of solidarity amidst adversity at San Quentin State Prison. Chan who was incarcerated there, offers a poignant, first-hand perspective as he chronicles his journey back to freedom, interweaving the stories of his loved ones both inside and outside prison walls. Through their accounts, Chan illuminates a vibrant community built on trust, resilience and a shared commitment to advocating for a brighter future for those behind bars. The film’s inspiring blueprint for resistance and liberation is a call to action for all, urging us to envision a world free from incarceration and oppression.

WhatTheseWalls_A.Chan

Adamu Chan

Director, What These Walls Won't Hold

Adamu Chan is a filmmaker, writer, and community organizer from the Bay Area who was incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison during one of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks in the country. He produced numerous short films while incarcerated, using his vantage point and experience as an incarcerated person as a lens to focus the viewer’s gaze on issues related to social justice. Adamu draws inspiration and energy from the voices of those directly impacted, and seeks to empower them to reshape the narratives that have been created about them through film.