Sing Sing–Art as Liberation
The multiple-award winning Sing Sing is a richly textured film of friendship and brotherhood among prisoners. The major theme is rediscovering one’s own humanity in a world that refuses to see you as human. Theater –and the acting process– become the inmates’ survival. John “Divine G” Whitfield (played by Colman Domingo of “Rustin”) starts the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program at Sing Sing prison in Winchester County, New York.
In the opening scenes “Divine Eye” Clarence Maclin (playing himself), becomes the newest member of the RTA troupe. Before RTA, Divine Eye couldn’t see himself as anything more than a gangster. Under the mentorship of Divine G (Colman Domingo) and Mike Mike (Sean San José), Divine Eye is reborn. A part of himself long buried in Sing Sing begins to come alive again. And wrongly imprisoned for murder, Divine G is determined to fight for clemency after multiple failed attempts. But he nonetheless mentors Divine Eye and encourages him to fight for a pardon as well.
Gradually there is role reversal. Divine Eye pays it forward to Divine G after he suffers a traumatic loss.
“If we continue to label ourselves with derogatory words or allow others to label us with these derogatory words, we may begin to believe that that’s our identity. And it is very important to not believe that someone else’s negative view of you or negative opinion of you or negative whatever can be stuck to you. The only way that can happen is if you allow it.”
We’re not told why the prisoners are incarcerated but it doesn’t matter. Prison has broken them. At every turn their emotional complexity underscores how theater puts these men back together.
Sing Sing is startling in so many ways! It is first and foremost about how people need to find a means to express themselves under even the most inhumane circumstances. Everyday moments in the film show just how dehumanized these men have become. It is also about family–in this case, creating a family of brothers–and also the sorrow and pain about the families they have left behind. And Sing Sing is about vulnerability, the protective defense-building to avoid exposing pain and hurt. The Divine G character touches upon this: “Representing ‘angry’ is easy, but ‘hurt’ and ‘pain’ are even harder” to convey in acting…and in life.
Sing Sing is not a documentary. Except for Colman Domingo, Paul Raci (who plays the RTA director), and Sean San Jose (Mike Mike), all cast members are former RTA alumni from Sing Sing prison. Filmed in the prison, such authenticity is rarely seen.
Clarence Maclin is a revelation, and somehow incredibly matches Domingo’s remarkable performance scene for scene. (Both Maclin and Domingo were nominated for Academy Awards). And the ensemble cast of non-actor former prisoners is equally astonishing for portraying so much pain, grace, and human dignity without a whisper of sensationalism.
Sing Sing is a film made for people who love art. Where the heartbreak is, beauty intrudes wondrously. It is a visceral experience whose intelligence and power few films will be able to match.
Availability: HBOmax
Note: Sing Sing was co-written by RTA’s director Brent Buell (played by Paul Raci of “Sound of Metal”) and Clarence Maclin, directed by Greg Kwedar, and executive producers, Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin.
Note 2: Clarence Maclin was imprisoned for 17 years in Sing Sing for armed robbery. Since release, he is continuing acting. His next role will be in an upcoming Netflix drama, “Rabbit, Rabbit” with Adam Driver.
Note 3: The filming at Sing Sing was a decision intentionally made for a number of reasons but the stage rehearsal spaces contrast sharply with the stark, cramped quarters of prison cells, reminding the viewer that theater was even more critical for their daily living.