In the heart of a bustling film industry, Fox and Rob stand out not just for their storytelling prowess but for their unwavering commitment to social justice. Viewers first met Sibyl “Fox” Richardson and Rob Richardson in the 2020 award-winning documentary Time, which premiered at Sundance. Directed by Garrett Bradley, the film followed Fox’s fight for the release of her husband Rob, who was serving a 60-year prison sentence for robbing a bank with Fox and their nephew Ontario in 1997, when facing homelessness. Although they were first-time offenders who acted out of desperation and no one was physically harmed in the heist, they received the harshest sentences possible with Rob, a Navy veteran receiving a 60-year sentence. Time, which was nominated for an Academy Award, told the story of the Fox family and their young children using home videos and documentary footage. Their latest film, Time II: Unfinished Business, is more than a sequel; it’s a clarion call for change, seeking to inspire and mobilize a million people to reclaim freedom for those trapped in the cycle of incarceration.
Fox, who was the subject of the first documentary, is now the director behind this latest documentary. A force, Fox passionately explains her motivation for creating Time II and the necessity of a part two to their story.  “When I first saw Time one, it was beautiful and moving, but it left a void in my heart. It didn’t provide the tools for our community to understand how to create their own freedom. With 2.3 million individuals languishing in prisons across this country, disproportionately people of color, I felt a duty to ensure we weren’t leaving them with a fairy tale. I wanted to show how we achieved our freedom and what we did with it afterward.”
Rob, who brings his own story of resilience to the film, echoes Fox’s sentiments. “Incarceration forced me to learn the language of law out of necessity. I had to navigate a system that was designed to keep us down, much like our ancestors who came to America and had to adapt to a new language and culture. Storytelling became my way of articulating our struggle and the legal realities we face.” Acknowledging that he “checked himself back into slavery,” since slavery is not abolished in the United States prison system, Rob endeavored to ensure that people understand what’s at stake if they enter the system and if the justice system doesn’t evolve from its precarious beginnings. Rob, who learned the Napoleanic system of law of Louisiana, and differs from other legal systems in the United States, advocated for himself and worked with his village including Fox to gain his freedom after serving 21 years in prison. The talented duo used their hard work, grit and gifts to make a second film that is as compelling as the first.
Their collaborative journey in storytelling has been transformative for the couple. “Fox is an excellent storyteller and director,” Rob notes. “Her talent is innate; she doesn’t need formal training to convey these vital narratives. It’s about etching our humanity into the ethos of time and making our community aware of these issues.” When asked how she developed the skills to tell such an important story in an exceptional way with Time II, Fox offers, “Listen, I think it’s like the person in church that plays by ear. I think it’s like the person in church that sings by ear. We don’t have to be formally taught anything when God has called us to do something great.” Fox and Rob are on a mission to reclaim their time in society, tell their story as a cautionary tale for others and to help change a judicial system that sometimes gets it wrong, doling out punishments and penalties that don’t fit the crime.
The duo is not content to stop at the film’s release. Unlike Time, which rolled out to much fanfare and was distributed by Amazon Prime, Rob and Fox are distributing this film themselves as part of a larger movement. The activists are spearheading a major campaign, urging a million people to join them on Juneteenth to witness their story of freedom. “This is the biggest work of my life,” Fox states passionately. “We’re asking for a million people to watch Time II on the same day. When they register, they will receive a copy of the film, a proclamation of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and a freedom action toolkit.”
The toolkit aims to empower participants with knowledge about clemency and resources from 40 participatory defense hubs across the country. “Every dollar from registration will support the Amistad Research Center, the largest independent collection of black archives in our nation,” Fox explains. “We’re not just sharing our story; we’re preserving history for future generations.”
When speaking with Fox and Rob, it is clear they are in a race against time trying to reclaim their time as a family, help free overly prosecuted inmates, raise awareness around issues like mass incarceration and the privatization of prisons and ultimately to help free people who deserve a second chance. There is passion and energy but also a sense of urgency in their mission. Fox states, “We have a duty and obligation to reclaim our loved ones who have been wrongfully incarcerated or excessively sentenced. Time II is a call to action for all of us to commit to freedom and honor our liberty.”
As they prepare for the campaign launch, Fox and Rob remain steadfast in their resolve. I wonder aloud what will happen if they don’t get the 1 million people. “We won’t stop until we reach a million people committed to this pledge of freedom,” Fox asserts. “This Juneteenth, we’re inviting everyone to center themselves on freedom—to come together as a community and celebrate the power of our collective voices.”
To watch Time II: Unfinished Business and to join their movement for freedom and justice, visit: https://www.timetwomovie.com/
This article was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Meta or Instagram @TheBurtonWire.
