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After taking the Internet by storm and igniting numerous fan theories regarding Steven Avery’s innocence, Netflix worked a special Making a Murderer panel into their Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena on Sunday. The tense half-hour panel, featuring directors Moira Demos and Laura Riccardi as well as producer Lisa Nishamura, focused on the series’ explosive viral intensity, the pushback from skeptics, and our current obsession with true crime.
“We don’t consider this advocacy journalism,” says co-director Demos. “It’s a social justice documentary. [Steven] Avery’s case offers a window into the system.” From the start of the (occasionally, uncomfortable) panel through the end, Demos and Riccardi held their ground, persistent in their hopes that audiences and critics alike will eventually see their series as a microcosmic example of our country’s broken justice system. “We are trying to urge people to think more deeply what the series is about… and making sure our justice system is delivering verdicts we can rely on,” explains Riccardi.
Some critics, however, were skeptical. Some referenced rumors that not all evidence was included and that certain subjects interviewed — most notably Avery’s ex-fiancée — were not portrayed in an accurate light. Demos and Riccardi pushed back, noting that Ken Kratz and the rest of the prosecution team denied them on-camera interviews, leaving the duo to use their own original footage from the press conferences you see in the series. And as far as Avery’s ex is concerned, Demos reminded us of the media circus that often surrounds true crime:
Demos and Riccardi closed the panel by catching us up to speed with their subject’s current condition. Despite learning President Obama is unable to pardon him, Avery is still moving forward with his appeal though he has yet to watch the episodes. “Steven does not have access to the series… His request was denied,” says Riccardi. The directors disclosed they have had several phone conversations with Avery since the series premiered on Netflix and are mindful that they may have to use these recordings for future episodes. “This story is ongoing,” says Demos. “These cases are open. We are ready to follow these if there are significant developments.”
[Stream all episodes of Making a Murderer on Netflix]
Check out all of our TCA 2016 coverage, here.
