Helen Prejean her best-selling book, "Dead Man Walking" (1993), based on her experiences with two convicts on Death Row for whom she served as spiritual adviser before their executions. In her book, she explored the effects of the death penalty on everyone involved. The book was adapted as a 1995 film of the same name, starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. It was also adapted as an opera, first produced in 2000 by the San Francisco Opera. Helen Prejean was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the daughter of Augusta Mae (née Bourg; 1911–1993), a nurse, and Louis Sebastian Prejean (1893–1974), a lawyer.
Blackbird (upcoming film) Blackbird (upcoming film) Blackbird is an upcoming drama film directed by Roger Michell and starring Kate Winslet, Mia Wasikowska and Susan Sarandon. It is a remake of the Danish film "Silent Heart". A dying mother assembles her family to spend a final weekend together before she ends her life. The remake was announced in July 2018, with Kate Winslet, Diane Keaton and Mia Wasikowska cast to play members of the family. Roger Michell was announced as director, with filming initially set to begin in August. Filming began in October, with Keaton replaced by Susan Sarandon, and Sam Neill, Rainn Wilson,