We explore the new film ‘Sing Sing’, which follows a group of incarcerated men taking part in the Rehabilitation Through the Arts theatre programme at a notorious prison. The film stars Colman Domingo alongside a cast largely made up of the programme’s former participants. Robert Bound sits down with director Greg Kwedar to find out more about the making of the extraordinary film. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello and welcome to Monocle on Culture.
I'm Robert Bound.
Today's show is all about a new film from A24 called Sing Sing.
The film takes place inside that famed feared prison and follows a group of incarcerated men taking part in a theatre program entitled Rehabilitation through the Arts.
John Divine G Whitfield helps steer the group as they begin to choose and rehearse a new performance, which turns out to be a chaotic, time travelling fantasy comedy.
Played by Colman Domingo, Divine G is a thoughtful artistic type who wants his fellow thespians to reap the rewards of having a creative outlet during their time inside.
But he's also fighting for parole and the chance of a new life and physical freedom on the other side of the walls of Sing Sing.
Domingo is joined in the cast by alumni from the program itself, the shining star of which is undoubtedly Clarence Divine Eye Macklin, who plays a younger version of himself.
Divine Eye is, at the beginning of his involvement with the theatre program, an intimidating and forceful presence in the exercise yard, who's also an exacting actor who delivers Shakespearean soliloquies with quiet aplomb.
I was delighted to speak with Sing Sing's director, Greg Quedar to find out more about the film and about both what takes place on the conversations and events that took place behind the scenes, which proved to be fascinating.
First, to give you a sense of the film, let's hear some of the trailer.
This is a clemency hearing for your conviction.
25 to life.
Since you've been in custody, you've been involved in the theater program.
All right, gentlemen, let's go.
It's been a program that was established to help people get more in touch with their feelings.
And it really gets some rehabilit.
I am Gladiator Goliath.
I am Star.
I'm Prince Hamlet of Denmark.