Composers Chris Hanebutt and Mark Batson discuss scoring “The Alabama Solution.”
Directed and produced by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, “The Alabama Solution” is a 2025 American documentary that exposes corruption, violence and slave-like labor conditions within Alabama’s prison system through footage filmed by incarcerated men using contraband phones.
Chris Hanebutt
On scoring “The Alabama Solution,” Hanebutt said, “Honestly, it was tough. It was also deeply rewarding. The stories of the men (and their families) in The Alabama Solution are graphic and heart-wrenching, so it was very important for Mark and I to capture the weight of the subject matter without overselling it.”
“Our goal was to let the images and the men speak for themselves. It’s a huge honor to be a part of such an incredibly impactful and important film,” Hanebutt added.
Regarding his daily inspiration as a composer, Hanebutt said, “Life. The people we meet, the stories we hear, the moments that make you stop and think.”
“Music is just our way of translating that energy into something people can feel and relate to. Inspiration doesn’t always need to come from somewhere grand – it’s usually hidden in the quiet, everyday details,” Hanebutt elaborated.
On being a part of the digital age, Hanebutt said, “It’s empowering and chaotic at the same time. We have the tools to create, distribute, and connect instantly – but it also demands more intention and discipline. The key for us is to use technology to serve the art, not replace the soul behind it.”
Regarding his use of technology in his daily routine, Hanebutt said, “Technology is woven into everything we do – from scoring and sound design to collaboration and delivery.”
“That being said, we treat it as an instrument, not a crutch. It helps us stay efficient, connected, and push boundaries, while still keeping the emotional core of the music front and center,” he elaborated.
Mark Batson
On being a part of “The Alabama Solution,” Batson said, “Working closely with Chris, alongside Andrew Jarecki, Charlotte Kaufman and Sue Jacobs to develop the sonic landscape for ‘The Alabama Solution,’ has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life.”
“Shaping the sound of these heroes—men who forged under the most oppressive conditions imaginable—was both an emotional and extraordinary challenge,” Batson noted.
“I only hope that their story helps audiences take a deeper look at the American prison system and inspires a real commitment to justice and reform,” Batson explained.
Regarding his future plans, Batson shared, “First, Chris and I are promoting the score for ‘Power:Force on Starz’ releasing on November 7th, and are working on releasing the score album for that series.”
“We are also releasing the score album for ‘The Alabama Solution.’ I also scored a documentary on the dangers of the drug Kratom,” he said.
“In 2026, I am building an immersive company that will specialize in combining album-based projects with spectacular immersive environments. I am also preparing to perform my opera, God’s Soldiers, live at Dubai Opera,” Batson elaborated.
For young and emerging artists, Batson said, “My advice for young artists would be to treat their art and creative endeavors in the same way they would treat a 9 to 5 job.”
“You have to go to work every day, you have to experiment with new ideas, stay aware of the latest technology, and always seek new ways to promote your product and brand,” he elaborated.
Regarding his definition of the word success, Batson said, “For me, it is often simple: success is finishing. You don’t have to win the race or be in first place all of the time, but completing your goals and finishing things you started out on is an amazing formula for success.”
Batson shared his closing thoughts on “The Alabama Solution” on HBO.
“I would like for people to be aware that although we are taught to believe slavery in America ended in 1865, that it is still active and practiced today in American prisons, and that people who resist the system can be ‘disappeared’ at the discretion of the correction system,” he said.
“I would like people to watch the movie and realize that these are Americans, these are our brothers, cousins, fathers, friends… those who have made mistakes and deserve to be liberated after serving their sentence, and not held onto indefinitely for private profits,” he concluded.
