| Page 2 of 2 < |
Inmate 'Thriller' Video Is Web Hit
Crisanto Nierre, who plays Michael Jackson's role in "Thriller," finds his new fame bittersweet. Relatives as far away as Sweden, Denmark and Dubai have excitedly watched him on YouTube. But he can't escape the fact that he's in prison, gently touching family photos hanging from the bed above him in sheets of protective plastic.
A fan of Jackson's music since he was in a dance troupe in high school _ ironically, his favorites include "Bad" and "Smooth Criminal" _ 36-year-old Nierre carefully lays out the orange-and-black outfit made for his performances, smoothing every wrinkle.
  Filipino inmates sway their arms as part of a dance routine during their morning workout at the Cebu Provincial and Rehabilitation Center in Cebu city, central Philippines on Wednesday Aug. 8, 2007. In their identical orange prison uniforms, up to 1,500 march and clap in unison as they perform precision dance routines with the Village People's "In the Navy" and "YMCA" pounding from six well-worn black speakers. Their version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" has been watched nearly 4.4 million times (as of Thursday) on YouTube. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (Aaron Favila - AP) PHOTOS |
"I hope that all the people who see us will be happy in knowing that we, despite being prisoners, we were able to do this," said Nierre, in prison five years awaiting trial on drug charges.
"Before the dancing, our problems were really heavy to bear. Dancing takes our minds away from our problems. Our bodies became more healthy. As for the judges, they may be impressed with us, seeing that we are being rehabilitated and this could help our case. We are being rehabilitated in a good way."
With the court system overworked, officials have been trying to ease overcrowding and brutal conditions in prisons. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo once said a life sentence in a Philippine prison was worse than death.
Inmates say that's how it used to be here, with a fight or other violent incident breaking out an average of once a week.
"I wanted a program where everyone would exercise an hour a day," Garcia said. "One day, I saw these waves of orange people (in the exercise yard). I thought it looked very nice."
The goal was something the inmates could consider an accomplishment and that would teach camaraderie and teamwork.
First came marching to the cadence of a drum 15 months ago. Then Garcia chose one of his favorite songs, Pink Floyd's "The Wall." Village People standards followed, with the guidance of a choreographer. It takes about a week to work out individual sections of a new song, another week to pull them together.
The first video that Garcia posted was of a challenging algorithm march. It generated only 400 hits in eight months on YouTube.
"Thriller" followed less than a month ago. It was an instant hit, averaging 300,000 views per day at its peak.
Garcia says it's been a year since the last fight. The cells, while cluttered with the meager possessions of up to 17 inmates in each one, are neat and clean. Shouts of "Good morning, sir" greet visitors.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said officials will look to encourage replication of the program at other prisons.
"These people may have their lives enhanced by something which removes their minds from the conditions they're in," Gonzalez said. "It might help in their reformation. That's good."
From a wealthy family _ his sister is the provincial governor _ Garcia carries something of an imperial air. Smoking is banned in the prison, but Garcia puffs away, a guard thrusting out a coffee cup when he's ready to douse a butt.
Critics claim he forces the inmates to perform, an allegation the prisoners deny. He's generated so much devotion that about 20 inmates, including four women, have tattoos with his name.
About 100 mostly older or ill prisoners opt out of the exercises, staying in their cells. Garcia said those who participate get an extra afternoon snack and are sharing in recent income for their performances.
A $35,000 donation followed a performance at the province's recent Founding Day celebrations. Each inmate received $22 of the gift, deposited into a prison passbook account; the rest went to the province to defray the costs of incarceration.
A few local companies have found the video performances so inspiring that they want to send employees for special performances. The first is Saturday _ for a donation. Garcia suggested a news crew should pay up to see "Thriller," too.
At 7:15 a.m. comes the call for inmates who have court hearings today. The departures take away six key dancers for "Thriller," so it won't be on today's itinerary anyway. Instead, practice focuses on a new song, Phil Oakey and Giorgio Moroder's "Together in Electric Dreams," a carefully chosen homage to the inmates' fans.
"Viewers are asking for more," Garcia says. "We may be worlds apart, worlds may separate us, but we still can be connected through electric dreams."
___
On the Net:
'Thriller' video on YouTube: http:/
