'Walk the Line' to screen at Folsom Prison

The Johnny Cash biopic will be presented to inmates by the film's star Joaquin Phoenix.

Dec 22 2005

The forthcoming Johnny Cash biopic 'Walk the Line' is to screen at Folsom State Prison, scene of the singer's famous 1968 concert.

Star Joaquin Phoenix will present the film to inmates on January 3, in much the same spot that Cash sang to them nearly 38 years ago.

James Mangold, who directed the film, told Daily Variety '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.

'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.'

The concert was recorded and turned into a live album, which became the most successful of Cash's career.

Speaking of the decision to stage the screening at Folsom, California executive director of the Prison Fellowship Joe Avil said: '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.'

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

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