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'The Lena Baker Story' leads movie goers on her road to 'redemption'

By: Ansley Brown

Posted: 4/7/09

Written and directed by Ralph Wilcox, "Hope and Redemption: The Lena Baker Story," starring Tichina Arnold, brings a new twist to the movie screen, in revealing the life of the only African-American women to receive the electric chair.

Wilcox, a movie veteran with 35 years of experience, believed it was time to show case an African-American woman who people knew little about and that went unrecognized.

"A lot of people are not familiar with Lena Baker though the story was so critical and important and she was the only black women to receive the electric chair and a lot of her same issues are prevalent today such as prostitution and alcohol abuse," Wilcox said.

Although not the typical martyr most people would associate greatness with, Baker's tragedy is the story of many African-Americans in today's society.

It is a movie that greatly depicts what salvation from turmoil is really about. "The subject is a very intense subject matter as far at the evolution of her life from cradle to grave. I really wanted people to know who she was. She struggled as a result of alcoholism and at one time she was a prostitute," Wilcox said.

The most important factor that Wilcox wants movie goers to understand from the movie is redemption is real. Baker, although considered criminal, was not born that way.

Along with personal decisions, her community and everyday struggles played a big part in her wrong doings.

Wilcox said that the true testament of faith is where you stand during adversity and hardships. "I spent six and a half years in Africa and I learned that you are a servant to the next person. No one is born a criminal. It is the spirit and compassion for man that drives me. This is a spiritually based story," said Wilcox.

The movie is an amazing film, which not only showcases human emotion in its rarest form but truly evokes the power of redemption, even in the face of death. "Hope and Redemption: The Lena Baker Story" is truly a heart felt masterpiece brought to film.

Wilcox said that one of most important message that movie viewers should gain from watching this film is "If indeed we retain the hope and know what God is, it brings us to our redemption."

The movie is showing in selected theaters across Georgia.

Movie trailers, information about the film and release dates can be found at: www.lenabakerthemovie.com.