Fairfield Native Returns To Childhood Library To Screen His Documentary

“I grew up bugging my mom to take me to the library,” Cunningham, who lives in Bridgeport, told the Daily Voice.

Cunningham is scheduled to return that very library Wednesday to attend the screening of “Dogs on the Inside,” a documentary he co-directed that follows stray dogs and the prison inmates who take care of them.

Several organizations in the United States pair inmates with stray dogs, providing homes for animals that might otherwise be killed. Each year, 1.2 million dogs are euthanized in shelters nationwide, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

He wanted to create a positive film. But, Cunningham said, “We weren’t necessarily going for a Pollyanna approach.”

Cunningham said he wanted to show the need for animals to be adopted, while not being sensational. He said he hopes his piece galvanizes would-be animal adopters, while not leaving his viewers feeling deflated.

“I hope that their perspective is shifted — even a little bit — especially with regard to … how many dogs are in shelters,” Cunningham said. “There are wonderful dogs all over the place that you can adopt.”

Cunningham also said the prison, where the inmates were working with the dogs, was a progressive place.

“You could easily show the good, which made our job a bit easier,” he said.

Cunningham said he strongly believes that programs that bring dogs into prisons can help rehabilitate inmates.

“They made a mistake and they’re paying for it,” he said of the prisoners. “Eventually they are going to be released and reconnected with society. It’s in our interest to rehabilitate them to best of our ability and having a dog in prison can facilitate that.”

Cunningham said he was partly inspired to become a filmmaker after a teacher praised a short video he made in high school. He said his next film will center around Hollywood stuntmen.

For more information and to register for the screening call 203-256-3160, or visit the library on the web here.

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