Artville
Thierry Albenque, Thierry Garel
2001 - 26 min - DV Cam - Couleur - France

In the film, artist Jonathan Parkhouse organises an exhibition called "Artville" in London. The exhibition is made up of works off art made in Pentonville prison in North London.
The films shows Jonathan Parkhouse during several days as he teaches art to the prisoners and prepares the exhibition with the prisoners, prison staff and other art teachers. Art is a medium through which prisoners learn to express themselves while in prison and learn a skill to help them fend for themselves after their sentence has been served. The film ends with the opening night of the exhibition with a speech by the guest of honour, English author and actor Steven Berkoff.
The film shows a man's fight to have artistic creation be recognised as a means of personal valorisation for the prisoners. The comments of the teacher and the prisoners and the quality of the exhibited works show that art is a viable means for reinsertion that provides prisoners with the skills and self-esteem needed to succeed after a stay in prison.
"Artville" does not dwell on the darkness of prison life. It shows a prison where the prisoners make positive use of their time in their cells.