docsPace

a year-round program in between the CIDF editions which puts the spotlight on remarkable true stories from all over the world and provides an opportunity to catch exclusive previews and premieres of outstanding new documentary films

MR. BIG

Country of production: Canada
Year: 2007
Mins: 89

Direction: Tiffany Burns
Producer: Tiffany Burns
Cinematography: Terry Allington, Tiffany Burns, Kevin Dorencott, Brett Hyde, Sarah Isaacs, John Potter, Matt Stevens
Editing: Alec MacNeill Richardson
Music Composed by: Jeff Tymoschuk
Sound: Dave Stephens


Mr. Big is the name of an undercover sting created and perfected by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is considered entrapment in many other countries, including the United States and England. But the Canadian court system allows confessions made to cops posing as criminals to be admitted as evidence-even while it declares bans on court proceedings.

Now, after multiple cases of false confessions and wrongful convictions finally coming to the public's attention, the debate about Mr.Big is starting to heat up.

With shocking undercover police video and heart-wrenching interviews, “Mr.Big” reveals the experience of several sting victims who spent years in jail for murders they didn't commit. The documentary examines the risk of false confessions obtained through this specialized scenario and explores why it is permitted by the Canadian justice system.

Director Tiffany Burns has a personal connection to the documentary: her brother is one of the many Canadians who have been targeted by a "Mr.Big" undercover scenario. In his case, video of his confession convinced an American jury to ignore DNA evidence pointing to other suspects and witnesses who saw Sebastian across town at the time of the murders. While she was researching his case, Tiffany realized Sebastian Burns and his friend Atif Rafay are not the first people who have falsely confessed to murder.

This is a much larger issue that affects all Canadians... and citizens of any other country that permits police to coerce confessions, or allows Mr.Big confessions to be entered as evidence in court.

Tiffany Burns
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tiffany started her career in journalism as a monthly columnist for Vancouver Magazine. Moving into television, she worked for news stations in both the United States and Canada. After a decade of anchoring, reporting, writing and producing stories for networks such as CBS, ABC and CityTV in Toronto, Tiffany returned home to begin production on "Mr.Big." Tiffany has a degree in English Literature from the University of British Columbia. "Mr.Big" is her first feature film.

GALLERY THEATRE
1112 North Milwaukee Ave., Chicago IL
tel.: 866.466.ARTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008 at

7:00 pm.

director Tiffany Burns in person!

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2008 at

7:00 pm.

director Tiffany Burns in person!

tickets: $8.00 REGULAR
..............$7.00 STUDENT/SENIOR

MORE INFO & RESERVATION PLEASE CALL 866.466.ARTS

PRESS RELEASE