In the shadows of prison walls, ‘Sing Sing’ emerges not as your typical prison drama but as a heartwarming tale of creativity and hope.
At the core of this film is John “Divine G” Whitfield, portrayed by Colman Domingo, an incarcerated playwright at Sing Sing, wrongfully imprisoned. His journey unfolds not alone but alongside his best friend, Mike Mike, played by Sean San Jose, and the program director, Brent Buell, portrayed by Paul Raci. Together, they build an inspiring acting group within the prison walls.
The film draws its roots from a true story, anchored in the success of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program, which first took shape at Sing Sing in 1996. This program has since flourished, extending its reach across various correctional facilities in New York state, offering disciplines like dance, music, and writing to inmates.
The production team was keenly aware of the sensitivities involved in portraying a real-life prison scenario. Greg Kwedar, the director, emphasized the importance of ensuring the film did not become a re-traumatizing experience for the actors, many of whom were once incarcerated themselves.
Costume designer Andrea Marks took an innovative approach in reflecting authenticity. Consulting her sister, a psychotherapist, she crafted questions to understand the personal relationship the actors had with their clothing choices. Seeking to form a connection with them, Marks opted for Red Kap workwear, which she altered to resemble prison attire, softening the fabric to ensure comfort for the cast.
Ruta Kiskyte, the production designer, envisioned ‘Sing Sing’ as a dual reality. The prison, harsh yet open to artistic expression, was depicted with pastel tones and sunlight interspersed with the unsettling presence of barbed wire. Kiskyte’s portrayal touched on the sparse, personality-less cell environments that inmates endure, drawing from Divine G’s own experiences. Her efforts conveyed the theater’s transformative power with its minimal resources, effectively showing a world created from nothing.
‘Sing Sing’ is more than just a film about incarceration—it’s a moving depiction of redemption and the transformative power of art within prison walls.
Source: Yahoo
