Animal Factory
Encyclopedia
Animal Factory is a 2000 American film about life in prison, set in San Quentin and directed by Steve Buscemi
.
plays a young man named Ron Decker, who is sent to prison for drug possession, and Willem Dafoe
is veteran con Earl Copen who takes Decker under his wing and introduces him into his own gang. Copen first helps out Decker when three mexicans attempt to lure him into a cell block to rape him, however Copen sees through their plans and talks to the mexicans, who quickly abandon interest in Decker. Over the next few days Copen helps decker out by getting him better jobs, food, and even transferring him to his own cell block. Mainly however Copen helps Decker's case and points out that under a new article passed by the legislature a judge can modify a sentence in the first 20 days if the judege sees fit, so Copen (who is the assistant to the Captain of the Guards) helps write false reports and given Decker advice to stay out of trouble, which will make Decker appear as a "very small threat to society." However, after large inmate Buck Rowan attempts to rape Decker in the bathroom Decker stabs Rowan in a fight involving Copen, paralyzing Rowan. Rowan signs a statement claiming Decker and Copen are responsible and their cells are stripped and they are restricted to their cells. Because of the stabbing Decker's attempt at a modified sentence is denied and his sentence remains five years. Meanwhile Copen manages to get word out Rowan is "snitching" and an inmate working at the infirmary poisons Rowan's IV with cleaning fluid. The case against Copen and Decker is thrown out as the victim and main witness is dead.
Shortly after their release Copen tells Decker he plans to escape, and they plot to hide in a garbage truck and avoid being crushed by the compressor by using a bar to stop it. Decker escapes in one truck however Copen stays behind, never having intended to escape in the first place. Decker manages to flee to Costa Rica and Copen stays behind, after stating "This is my prison, after all."
Antony Hegarty
makes a cameo appearance as a prisoner performing at a musical night in the prison.
. Filming was completed in 30 days, two days longer than originally scheduled. Buscemi employed hundreds of prisoners from Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the prison that replaced Holmesburg Prison in 1995.
The film is based upon the novel The Animal Factory by writer Edward Bunker
, with whom Buscemi starred in Reservoir Dogs
, and who has a small part in the film.
. It currently holds an approval rating of 81% at Rotten Tomatoes
based on 31 reviews (25 positive, 6 negative).
Steve Buscemi
Steven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, writer and film director. An associate member of the renowned experimental theater company The Wooster Group, Buscemi has starred and supported in successful Hollywood and indie films including New York Stories, Mystery Train, Reservoir Dogs,...
.
Plot
Edward FurlongEdward Furlong
Edward Walter Furlong is an American actor whose best known film roles are John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Daniel Vinyard in American History X. He is a two-time Saturn Award nominee, winning the 1992 Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for his performance in...
plays a young man named Ron Decker, who is sent to prison for drug possession, and Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe is an American film, stage, and voice actor, and a founding member of the experimental theatre company The Wooster Group...
is veteran con Earl Copen who takes Decker under his wing and introduces him into his own gang. Copen first helps out Decker when three mexicans attempt to lure him into a cell block to rape him, however Copen sees through their plans and talks to the mexicans, who quickly abandon interest in Decker. Over the next few days Copen helps decker out by getting him better jobs, food, and even transferring him to his own cell block. Mainly however Copen helps Decker's case and points out that under a new article passed by the legislature a judge can modify a sentence in the first 20 days if the judege sees fit, so Copen (who is the assistant to the Captain of the Guards) helps write false reports and given Decker advice to stay out of trouble, which will make Decker appear as a "very small threat to society." However, after large inmate Buck Rowan attempts to rape Decker in the bathroom Decker stabs Rowan in a fight involving Copen, paralyzing Rowan. Rowan signs a statement claiming Decker and Copen are responsible and their cells are stripped and they are restricted to their cells. Because of the stabbing Decker's attempt at a modified sentence is denied and his sentence remains five years. Meanwhile Copen manages to get word out Rowan is "snitching" and an inmate working at the infirmary poisons Rowan's IV with cleaning fluid. The case against Copen and Decker is thrown out as the victim and main witness is dead.
Shortly after their release Copen tells Decker he plans to escape, and they plot to hide in a garbage truck and avoid being crushed by the compressor by using a bar to stop it. Decker escapes in one truck however Copen stays behind, never having intended to escape in the first place. Decker manages to flee to Costa Rica and Copen stays behind, after stating "This is my prison, after all."
Cast
- Willem DafoeWillem DafoeWillem Dafoe is an American film, stage, and voice actor, and a founding member of the experimental theatre company The Wooster Group...
- Earl Copen - Edward FurlongEdward FurlongEdward Walter Furlong is an American actor whose best known film roles are John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Daniel Vinyard in American History X. He is a two-time Saturn Award nominee, winning the 1992 Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for his performance in...
- Ron Decker - Seymour CasselSeymour CasselSeymour Joseph Cassel is an American actor.He first came to prominence in the 1960s in the pioneering independent films of writer/directorJohn Cassavetes...
- Lt. Seeman - Mickey RourkeMickey RourkePhilip Andre "Mickey" Rourke, Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter and retired boxer, who has appeared primarily as a leading man in action, drama, and thriller films....
- Jan the Actress - Steve BuscemiSteve BuscemiSteven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, writer and film director. An associate member of the renowned experimental theater company The Wooster Group, Buscemi has starred and supported in successful Hollywood and indie films including New York Stories, Mystery Train, Reservoir Dogs,...
- A.R. Hosspack - Tom ArnoldTom Arnold (actor)Thomas Dwaine "Tom" Arnold is an American actor and comedian. He has appeared in many films, perhaps most notably True Lies . He was the host of The Best Damn Sports Show Period for four years.-Early life:...
- Buck Rowan - John Heard - James Decker
- Danny TrejoDanny TrejoDan "Danny" Trejo is an American actor who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films, most notably in roles as an antagonist, or anti-hero.-Early life:...
- Vito - Edward BunkerEdward BunkerEdward Heward Bunker was an American author of crime fiction, a screenwriter, and an actor. He wrote numerous books, some of which have been adapted into films....
- Buzzard - Michael Buscemi - Mr. Herrell
Antony Hegarty
Antony Hegarty
Antony Hegarty is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the band Antony and the Johnsons.-Early life:...
makes a cameo appearance as a prisoner performing at a musical night in the prison.
Production
Animal Factory was filmed at Holmesburg Prison in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. Filming was completed in 30 days, two days longer than originally scheduled. Buscemi employed hundreds of prisoners from Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the prison that replaced Holmesburg Prison in 1995.
The film is based upon the novel The Animal Factory by writer Edward Bunker
Edward Bunker
Edward Heward Bunker was an American author of crime fiction, a screenwriter, and an actor. He wrote numerous books, some of which have been adapted into films....
, with whom Buscemi starred in Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs is an American crime film marking debut of director and writer Quentin Tarantino. It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond heist, but not the heist itself. Reservoir Dogs stars an ensemble cast: Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and...
, and who has a small part in the film.
Reception
The film received very positive reviews. It was highly praised at the Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. It currently holds an approval rating of 81% at Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
based on 31 reviews (25 positive, 6 negative).