FCAD 2024 - Sing Sing itw with Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley

Deauville, Hotel Barriere The Royal, September 9 2024
At the 2024 Deauville American Film Festival, Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing made a lasting impact with its deeply moving narrative, exploring the power of art to bring about redemption, even within the harsh confines of a maximum-security prison. Inspired by the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program at Sing Sing Prison, the film follows a group of incarcerated men as they discover freedom and hope through their participation in theater. The heartfelt and raw performances, particularly from Colman Domingo and several real-life participants from the RTA program, resonated strongly with the audience.
Domingo stars as Divine G, a key figure in the prison’s theater troupe who finds solace and transformation through creative expression. One of the film's most compelling elements is the casting of real RTA participants, such as Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin, who portrays a version of himself. This decision lends Sing Sing an undeniable authenticity, as these actors bring their lived experiences of incarceration to the screen, adding emotional depth to their performances.
The film is structured around the rehearsal process for a play within the prison, where the inmates not only explore their creative talents but also redefine their lives beyond the walls that confine them. Through theater, the characters challenge notions of masculinity, embrace vulnerability, and discover resilience they never knew they had. The story emphasizes that art has the ability to foster personal growth and reflection, offering the men an opportunity to see themselves as more than just prisoners.
Visually, Sing Sing stands out for its use of 16mm film, which adds a textured, raw aesthetic to the scenes. The cinematography plays a significant role in enhancing the story, particularly through the use of natural light streaming through the prison’s small windows. This visual motif serves as a powerful symbol of the hope and freedom that lie just beyond the inmates' reach. The stark contrast between the bleak reality of prison life and the moments of beauty and creativity underscores the central theme of redemption through artistic expression.
The film was met with enthusiastic applause at Deauville, where the audience was clearly moved by its poignant exploration of the human condition and the potential for transformation, even in the most challenging of environments.
The audience’s response to Sing Sing at Deauville was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how moved they were by the film’s honesty, emotional depth, and social relevance. The film’s unique blend of documentary-like realism and narrative storytelling made it one of the standout entries at FCAD 2024, ensuring that its message of resilience and redemption will resonate with viewers long after the festival.
• Sing Sing | Official T...
Synopsis:
Divine G, imprisoned in Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit, finds purpose by performing in a theater troupe with other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity and the transformative power of art.
Sing sing
Directed by Greg Kwedar
Produced by Monique Walton, Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar
Written by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar
Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John Divine G Whitfield
Based on The Sing Sing Follies by John H. Richardson, Breakin' The Mummy's Code by Brent Buell
With Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San José, Paul Raci
Music: Bryce Dessner
Director of photography: Pat Scola
Editing: Parker Laramie
Production companies: Black Bear Pictures, Marfa Peach Company, Edith Productions
Distributed by A24 (USA)
Release date: July 12 (U.S.)
Running time: 105 minutes