Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory nominated for an Academy Award

Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, which exploded into the public’s consciousness just a few short weeks ago, has been nominated for an Academy Award. This critically acclaimed documentary is the stunning conclusion to a three-part exposé on one of the nation’s most infamous child murder cases, and the three wrongfully-convicted young men, known as the West Memphis Three, who spent more than 18 years in jail for crimes they did not commit.

Many of our supporters watched the premier and some hosted or attended watch parties to raise awareness about the case and its broader implications for the justice system.

Here is some of the feedback we got from them:

"I have never seen any of this and what I just watched is three teenagers who had remarkable strength and intuition from the first day they were arrested, knowing it was a witchhunt -- and the film shows the unbelievable strength, resilience, loyalty and integrity of three teenage kids who held up through a lot of bad things that happened to them and they survived -- they are better human beings than the police, prosecutors and judicial system that pursued them and did this to them for all of those years.  God Bless them and I hope they can have their names cleared before too much more time passes." -Mr. Meaden; Brockton, MA

“Joe and Bruce made a wonderful film as well as an impact on the life of Damien, Jason and Jessie. It's very nice to see the media being used to help people. Definitely a must see.” -Jonathan; Rye Brook, NY

“I actually saw the screening at the Museum of the Moving Image on Tuesday night. It was such a moving, inspiring experience, made all the more poignant by Jason Baldwin's presence and his unbelievable optimism. I sincerely hope they are fully exonerated.” -Michele; New York, NY

“The film was awesome as were the first 2. I sincerely doubt that had these films not been made the WM3 WOULD have been released under ANY circumstances and Mr. Echols would have in fact been executed. It is imperative that we all keep on the state and the persecutors office to insure that the WM3 are in fact exonerated FULLY.” -Candise; Venice, FL

The film has motivated many people to take action in support of Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols and Jessie Misskelley. Equal Justice USA is working with the filmmakers to push the State of Arkansas to exonerate Jason, Damien, and Jessie.

If you haven's already, please sign @EJUSA'spetition for a pardon for the West Memphis 3: ejusa.org/wm3 #WM3 #pl3 @HBODocs

— Paradise Lost 3 (@Paradiselost3) January 6, 2012

More than 1,600 people from around the country have already signed the petition to pardon the West Memphis Three and the action has caught the attention of celebrities who have been following the story for years.

The West Memphis Three are free but still waiting for justice. Sign the @ejusa petition for their pardon: ejusa.org/wm3. #wm3

— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) January 17, 2012

Whether or not Paradise Lost brings home the Oscar, it has already had an immeasurable impact on the lives of three men as well as the public’s understanding of the many things that can go wrong in the justice system.