Private Project

On Beyond Fences

A rare, intimate look inside Maine State Prison, where efforts to reform the historically brutal institution (the basis for Stephen King's novella and the feature film, "The Shawshank Redemption") have dramatically shifted the prison culture, the way "residents" do their time and, ultimately, how they return to their communities.

Everyone featured, from Shaun, who’s doing 47 years for kidnapping and murder, to Maine D.O.C Commissioner, Randall Liberty (yes, that’s his real name!) has a stake in its success. So do the communities where the former inmates will return. As former guard, Scott Drake, says: “A lot of these guys get out. And you know where they move to? Next to you! I don’t want a guy who’s messed up and has issues living next to me. I want him to get his mind right, or at least try.”

Hope you enjoy our film!

  • Lara Jacqueline Hartzenbusch
    Director
    The Hunt For Bin Laden (Producer) / Smithsonian Channel, Targeting Yemen (Reporter)/ BBC Arabic & PBS Frontline
  • Tom Donohue
    Director
    Back Window, Three Souls in Search of an Embrace
  • Jack Kudas
    Director
  • Wes Smith
    Director
  • Silvia Sonntag
    Director
  • Lara Jacqueline Hartzenbusch
    Executive Producers
    The Hunt For Bin Laden (Producer) / Smithsonian Channel, Targeting Yemen (Reporter)/ BBC Arabic & PBS Frontline
  • Wes Smith
    Executive Producers
  • Jack Kudas
    Executive Producers
  • "Lara" Jacqueline Hartzenbusch
    Supervising Post-Production Producer
    The Hunt For Bin Laden (Producer) / Smithsonian Channel, Targeting Yemen (Reporter)/ BBC Arabic & PBS Frontline
  • Tom Donohue
    Superiving Editor
    Back Window, Three Souls in Search of an Embrace
  • "Lara" Jacqueline Hartzenbusch
    Editor
    The Hunt For Bin Laden (Producer) / Smithsonian Channel, Targeting Yemen (Reporter)/ BBC Arabic & PBS Frontline
  • Jack Kudas
    Editor
  • Wes Smith
    Editor
  • Silvia Sonntag
    Editor
  • David Martinez
    Color Correction
  • Valerie Chen
    Additional Sound Design
  • Heather Elliott
    Additional Sound Design
  • Valerie Chen
    Additional Visual Effects
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 22 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 8, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • InThrive
    Richmond
    United States
    October 19, 2024
    North America
    Official Selection
  • Dances With Films - New York
    New York
    United States
    December 5, 2024
    New York
    Official Selection
  • DC Independent Film Festival
    Washington, D.c.
    United States
    February 21, 2025
    Washington DC
    Best Documentary Short
  • Atlanta Documentary Film Festival (Atlanta Docufest)
    Atlanta
    United States
    March 23, 2025
    Atlanta + Georgia premiere
    Audience Choice Award
  • InThrive in Association with Emerson College Prison Initiative
    Boston
    United States
    March 19, 2025
    Boston + Massachusetts premiere
  • Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
    Newburyport
    United States
    September 26, 2025
    Newburyport premiere
    Official Selection
  • Virginia Film Festival
    Charlottesville
    United States
    October 26, 2025
    Best Documentary Short
Director Biography - Lara Jacqueline Hartzenbusch, Tom Donohue, Jack Kudas, Wes Smith, Silvia Sonntag

"“Lara" Jacqueline Hartzenbusch (1968 - USA)
Producer & Co-Director/Executive Producer, ON BEYOND FENCES
From Arlington, Virginia

Lara is a Washington DC-based independent journalist and seasoned international broadcast television and digital content producer with 25+ years of experience covering some of the most consequential stories of our time across Asia, Europe and the United States.

She has a long-association with BBC News (London and DC) and has worked in program, field, long-form, special projects and planning producing roles.
She also works with other broadcast news, documentary and digital content clients. Her producing and reporting credits include docs for PBS Frontline (Targeting Yemen--which was nominated for a 2020 Documentary Emmy Award), as well as Smithsonian Channel.

As an emerging filmmaker, Lara produced and co-filmed/directed and executive produced the documentary short, On Beyond Fences—a film about reform and redemption inside Maine State Prison. It began its life as a project for the Maine Media Workshop+College in Rockport Maine.
She oversaw the post-production phase and is currently leading the marketing and promotion of the film.

Lara loves visual storytelling and finding compelling people, places and pictures to help convey those stories. She's most passionate about those that shine a light on lesser known and under-reported issues and result in positive change.

Lara's FB + IG: @lhartzenbusch

OBF's
FB: Facebook: @OnBeyondFencesDoc
+
IG: @on_beyond_fences_doc

Jacek Wladyslaw Kudas (2003 - USA)
Author & Co-Director/Executive Producer, ON BEYOND FENCES
From Kennebunkport, Maine.

Jack studies film at the Maine Media Workshops+Colllege, where he co-filmed/directed documentary short, “On Beyond Fences."
He has also created other documentary and narrative pieces that are destined for festival premieres.

Jack also published a children’s book called “Windows in Heaven,” which will be published and hitting store shelves very soon!

He loves filming, writing and storytelling. He also loves the outdoors, the cold Atlantic water and Maine's starry nights.
Jack aims to create pieces of work that will ultimately impact people in a positive way.

He is an up and coming author and filmmaker who is ready to make his mark on the world!

Wesley Joseph Smith (1978 - USA)
Co-Director/Executive Producer, ON BEYOND FENCES.
Resides in Chapel Hill, NC.

Wesley studied film at The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University and Maine Media Workshops+College.

Wesley loves photography, filmmaking, and coffee. He aims to create 'Happy Doc's'. Films that leave a smile on your face!

He is currently in pre-production on a film about cannabis.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"We are delighted to share this intimate look at reform and redemption inside Maine State Prison.

The historically brutal institution (the basis for Stephen King's novella and the feature film, The Shawshank Redemption) has dramatically shifted the prison culture and environment, the way "residents" do their time and, ultimately, how they return to their communities.

Those involved in criminal justice reform need more advocates and allies. In America, we are only just beginning to scratch the surface where Scandinavian countries have blazed a trail.

With this film we aim to shine a light on this common-sense approach to reform, spark discussion and ultimately...change!"

We hope you enjoy On Beyond Fences!"