JR's tehachapi prison documentary premieres in theaters across france

JR’s film ‘tehachapi’ is coming to france

In October 2019, JR received special permission to work at Tehachapi, one of California’s most violent maximum-security prisons. There, he collaborated with 28 incarcerated men to create a giant mural that transformed the prison yard. JR’s new feature documentary, Tehachapi, follows these collaborative art projects over three years, showing how art can bring hope, inspire change, and highlight the humanity within prison walls.

Having first premiered at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival, Tehachapi is scheduled to be released in theaters across France on June 12th, 2024. A selection of viewings will include post-screening discussions with JR and Kevin Walsh, a protagonist of the film who was formerly incarcerated at Tehachapi.

Tehachapi, pasting in the courtyard | image by Marc Azoulay

about the tehachapi project

In 2019, JR (find more here) visited Tehachapi to meet 28 incarcerated men and propose a collaborative art project for the prison’s central yard. Many of these men had been imprisoned for nearly a decade, with many serving life sentences without parole. JR and his team photographed each man from above, allowing them to share their stories on camera without any specific questions, giving them the freedom to express themselves openly. JR also photographed former inmates and prison staff, collecting a total of 48 portraits and stories.

Two weeks later, JR returned with his team to paste 338 strips of paper on the ground. In just a few hours, the participants, equipped with push brooms and wallpaper glue, worked alongside guards and members of JR’s studio to complete the installation. From the prison yard, the image was indiscernible, but from above, it revealed incarcerated people, former inmates, prison staff, and victims standing shoulder to shoulder. This naturally ephemeral installation disappeared in three days under the footsteps of the prison’s population.

aerial view of the complete pasting | image courtesy of JR

Tehachapi, pasting in the courtyard | image by Marc Azoulay

Tehachapi, pasting in the courtyard | image by Jesse Clark

inmates in the prison yard | image by Joshua Geyer

JR and the inmates | image by Jesse Watson

inmates at Tehachapi | image by Marc Azoulay

JR and the inmates | image by Marc Azoulay

Tehachapi, through the wire fence | image by Marc Azoulay

first meeting with prisoners and presentation of the project | image by Camille Pajot

first meeting with prisoners and presentation of the project | image by Camille Pajot

Tehachapi, behind the scene | image by Camille Pajot

project info:

name: Tehachapi Project | @tehachapi_lefilm

artist: JR | @jr

location: Tehachapi Correctional Institution, California