Against the Wall

In 1971, a warden at Attica Penitentiary is caught up in a hostage crisis when inmates take over the prison to demand better living conditions. The docudrama is a partially fictionalized account of the four-day Attica Prison riot in 1971 at the Attica Correctional Facility, where prisoners took over much of state prison to protest inhumane conditions. The film focuses on rookie Corrections Officer Michael Smith and inmate Jamaal X, who develop a wary friendship with each other. Ultimately, Smith's alliance with Jamaal saves his life as they work together to bring attention to the deplorable conditions and human rights abuses within the prison system.