Animal Factory

Animal Factory
Directed by	Steve Buscemi
Produced by	Steve Buscemi Julie Yorn
Written by	Edward Bunker (novel and screenplay) and John Steppling
Starring	Willem Dafoe Edward Furlong Danny Trejo Mickey Rourke Tom Arnold Seymour Cassel J.C. Quinn Steve Buscemi
Music by	John Lurie
Editing by	Kate Williams
Distributed by	Franchise Pictures
Release date(s)	October 22, 2000
Running time	94 min.
Language	English
Budget	unknown
Box office	$43,805

Animal Factory is a 2000 American film about life in prison, set in San Quentin. The film was Directed by Steve Buscemi, and stars Edward Furlong, Willem Dafoe and Danny Trejo. Animal Factory is based on the novel of the same name by Eddie Bunker who plays the part of Buzzard in the film. Bunker co-starred alongside director Buscemi in Quentin Tarantino's critically acclaimed film Reservoir Dogs

Plot

Edward Furlong 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 he sees fit, so Copen (who is the assistant to the Captain of the Guards) helps write false reports and gives 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 them.

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, Copen however 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" and quoting Satan from Paradise Lost by John Milton "Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven."

Cast

• Willem Dafoe - Earl Copen
• Edward Furlong - Ron Decker
• Seymour Cassel - Lt. Seeman
• Mickey Rourke - Jan the Actress
• Steve Buscemi - A.R. Hosspack
• Tom Arnold - Buck Rowan
• John Heard - James Decker
• Danny Trejo - Vito
• Edward Bunker - Buzzard
• Michael Buscemi - Mr. Herrell

Antony Hegarty 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, Pennsylvania. 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.

Reception

The film received very positive reviews. It was highly praised at the Sundance Film Festival. It currently holds an approval rating of 81% at Rotten Tomatoes based on 31 reviews (25 positive, 6 negative).

External links

• Animal Factory at the Internet Movie Database
• Animal Factory at Rotten Tomatoes