December 23, 2005 11:29

Johnny Cash film to be screened in infamous prison

‘Walk The Line’ to be shown in Folsom

The upcoming Johnny Cash biopic ‘Walk The Line’ is to be screened at the infamous Folsom State Prison.

Star of the film Joaquin Phoenix will introduce the movie to inmates on January 3 in the place which saw the late country legend perform nearly 38 years ago.

Cash played a gig inside Folsom Prison on January 13, 1968 at the notoriously tough Californian penitentiary in front of 2,000 inmates, and the recording of the event proved to be one of the star’s most famous and successful albums.

Director of the film James Mangold said: “The concert at Folsom was more than just a masterpiece for John, it was also an incredible nexus for a lot of things in his life.”

He explained to Daily Variety: “Only 13 days before the concert, his previous marriage had completely dissolved, he was just kicking drugs, and it was the first time he was really able to look clear-eyed to June Carter as both a husband and a father.”

According to Reuters, California executive director of the non-profit Prison Fellowship, Joe Avila said: “We invited 20th Century Fox to screen 'Walk the Line' at Folsom because the lesson of Johnny Cash is that it's never too late for a man to turn his life around, and that's a story these men need to hear."

Phoenix added: “(Cash) believed in the power of redemption and offered his unique gift to anyone who needed to find it within them, and in the process, he inspired millions. I can think of no greater way to honour him than to carry on his legacy of using music to connect to all people."

'Walk The Line' will be released in the UK on February 3.