Oscar-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra is known for crafting deeply personal and thought-provoking stories, and her latest project, “I Am Ready, Warden,” is no exception. The short documentary, which premiered on Paramount+ on Nov. 22, follows John Henry Ramirez, a Texas death row inmate seeking redemption as his execution date approaches.
He was charged with intentionally causing the death of Pablo Castro by stabbing him with a knife in the course of committing or attempting to commit the offense of robbery.
The film, which recently earned an Honorable Mention for Best Short Documentary at the 25th Woodstock Film Festival, reunited Mundhra with MTV Documentary Films, the team behind her Oscar-nominated “St. Louis Superman.” Inspired by journalist Keri Blakinger’s Pulitzer Prize-finalist article “The Dungeons and Dragons Players of Death Row,” the documentary offers an intimate look at Ramirez’s journey and challenges viewers to question their beliefs about justice and humanity.
“This is the toughest film I’ve ever made,” Mundhra said. “It required months of earning trust from the protagonists and navigating the most emotionally challenging moments of their lives.”
Before the film’s release, I spoke with Mundhra about the making of “I Am Ready, Warden,” the complexities of its subject matter, and the power of documentary filmmaking to foster understanding.
AmNews: What inspired you to make this film, and how did you gain the trust and access needed to tell John [Henry Ramirez]’s story? Smriti Mundhra (SM): When it comes to trust and access, I’ll start with access and then talk about trust. My journey began when I decided to make a short film about capital punishment. I reached out to a writer named Keri Blakinger. At the time, she was a reporter for the Marshall Project, covering the Texas criminal justice system, and now she’s with the Los Angeles Times. Keri has been incarcerated, and her work often focuses on men on the Texas death row, particularly at the Polunsky Unit, where John was incarcerated.
Keri had written some deeply moving stories about the men on death row, including John. She had built a level of trust with him through her work. When I approached John with Keri, we explained that we wanted to collaborate on a film about his journey leading up to his next execution date. Because of his trust in Keri and her presence, he was open to the idea.
AmNews: How did you approach the Castro family and convince Aaron [Castro] to participate in the film? SM: After John agreed, I reached out to the Castro family through various means — letters, lawyers, and other contacts. I let them know I was making this film and wanted to include their perspective. Initially, I didn’t hear back, but eventually, Aaron [Castro] responded after multiple attempts. He had a lot on his mind and wanted to share his perspective because he felt the media had overlooked the harm done to his family as a result of the murder.
At first, Aaron didn’t want to be part of the documentary — he just wanted to talk so I could understand his perspective. Over the course of months, we had hours-long conversations. Eventually, I told him, “What you’re sharing is so valuable and transformative. If you ever feel ready, it would be meaningful to include your voice in the film.” It took time, but one day he said, “Yes.”
AmNews: What was your approach to building trust with both John and Aaron? SM: Building trust with both John and Aaron required complete transparency. I was upfront about the story I wanted to tell, explaining that I wasn’t making a political or anti-death penalty film. Instead, I wanted to explore their journeys and create space for their perspectives without judgment.
I also told Aaron about the other people involved, like John’s godmother and the district attorney pursuing the execution. I assured him I wasn’t trying to portray John as either a saint or a monster, just as a complex person. Similarly, I wasn’t going to portray Aaron as vindictive or push him into a forgiveness narrative. I just wanted to understand his experience and what could be learned from it. That honesty resonated with them.
AmNews: What was it like showing Aaron the finished film for the first time? SM: The most nerve-racking moment of my career was showing the finished film to Aaron for the first time. I was terrified of retraumatizing him, especially since the film included material about John he hadn’t seen before, but after watching, Aaron said he couldn’t imagine the film being more honest or accurate. He found it healing and fully supported it.
AmNews: How has the film been received by audiences so far? SM: The reaction to the film has been incredible. It’s a challenging story — it doesn’t have a clear protagonist or an easy resolution. Yet, many viewers have told me, “I thought I knew what this film would be, but it completely changed how I think about this issue.” That’s the most rewarding feedback: when people leave with a deeper understanding.
AmNews: What were some of the most profound moments for you while making the film? SM: For me, one of the most powerful moments in the film is when John reflects on the ripple effects of his actions. He tells his son, “If I had stayed free, you wouldn’t be who you are today. I would’ve been the one influencing you.” There’s a profound sense of sacrifice and transformation in those words. It’s as if Pablo [the victim] had to be sacrificed for John to change, and John had to be sacrificed for his son to have a different life.
AmNews: What do you hope viewers take away from this film? SM: I hope people take away a sense of the complexity in human actions and the capacity for change. In the polarized world we live in, that belief in transformation is essential. If the film helps viewers see that through John and Aaron’s stories, then it’s achieved something meaningful.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
The post Smriti Mundhra on justice, redemption, and making ‘I Am Ready, Warden’ appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.