Mug revolves around the Mug Shots of three formerly incarcerated people – photographs that span collectively almost 30 years of being in conflict with oneself and the Justice System. When a photograph is captured we often refer to it as ‘taking’ the photograph. This process of taking is encapsulated by the taking of the mug shot. However, when a person is convicted of committing an offence, the process of taking involves much more. When a person is incarcerated, the liberty of free movement is taken. The person’s clothes are taken. The ability to make many of their own decisions is taken. Through Mug, three persons relive their past by offering their stories and invite us all to take the challenge of giving.

 Featuring performances by JRDN

Sobaz Benjamin, Founder and Executive Director of In My Own Voice (iMOVe) Arts Association, is an accomplished and recognized film-director, as well as a community advocate, youth mentor, program facilitator and educator. In 2009, he started working with the Nova Scotia Justice Department to deliver his Life Story course at the Nova Scotia Youth Facility, and was honoured in 2014 by the Provincial Justice Department with a Minister’s Award for Individual Leadership in Crime Prevention. He has taught and presented at a number of public schools and post-secondary institutions, as well as facilitated community-based projects around and beyond the HRM. Sobaz has also received a Humans Rights Award for his work with youth and directing awards from the National Film Board of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television.

Jordan Croucher (aka JRDN) is a Canadian R&B/Hip Hop recording artist raised in Halifax and Toronto. After playing on the St-FX basketball team and a year of professional basketball in France, he began a career in music which has lead him to national and international recognition.

Craig Kelly is currently remanded at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside. He is a 23 year old Caucasian male and has been in conflict with the justice system since he was thirteen – the age when his first mug shot was taken. Craig is awaiting sentencing.

Lance Perry is a 33 year old African Nova Scotian. He was born and raised in Uniacke Square and has been in conflict with the justice system since he was thirteen. He is currently under house arrest awaiting trial. He is the father of three children: a 12 month old boy and two daughters aged 6 and 10. He is determined to turn his life around, and as he puts it, “to be of some good use to his children.”

Liam Petite is a Filmmaker/Editor and Photographer at Misfits&Masterminds Productions, a Halifax-based film production company producing a mix of music videos, promotional videos, short and feature films. Liam worked with iMOVe to produce the video elements of Mug.

Jacob Sampson is a Writer and Performer. Jacob Sampson is an actor from the Annapolis Valley and a graduate of Acadia University’s acting program. Jacob has performed at Shakespeare By the Sea for four seasons and is the playwright and star of Chasing Champions, an award winning biographical play about Sam Langford. Jacob was acting coach and assisted Sobaz Benjamin in the staging of the play.

Michael Tennyson is a Filmmaker/Editor at Tennyson Studios. Michael offers film and editing services for mainstream and social media and worked with iMOVe to produce the video elements of Mug.

Darren Tynes is a 39 year old African Nova Scotian born and raised in Uniacke Square. He was released from the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in December of 2016. He has found part time work with a construction company and, like Lance, Craig and Jeff, he is determined to make it on the outside – this time.

Jordan Williams Joseph (aka Jordan Metro) is a Halifax Music Producer and Audio Engineer. Jordan is a 22 year old hip hop and R&B producer stationed in Halifax and has produced and recorded a number of albums for local and international artists. He is a graduate of the Nova Scotia Community College’s Recording Arts Program and Music Business Program. Jordan worked with iMOVe to produce the audio elements of Mug.

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