A film like “Sing Sing” is a rare, precious achievement — a cinematic work of unique empathy and hand-turned humanity, hewed from the heart, with rigorous attention paid to the creative process. How this quietly captivating film was made is almost the more important story, but it is part and parcel with the text on screen. “Sing Sing” is the result of years of research and volunteer work on behalf of writer-director Greg Kwedar and his co-writer, Clint Bentley, with Rehabilitation Through the Arts, a theater program for men incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
At first, Kwedar and Bentley tried to mount a narrative film project about RTA involving professional actors, but never managed to capture the magic they experienced in the room itself, watching prisoners. So they decided to bring the room itself to the screen, casting a group of RTA alumni alongside stars Colman Domingo and Paul Raci . In “Sing Sing,” the supporting cast are all playing themselves (or something close to it), and giving damn good performances too.
Domingo steps into the role of John “Divine G” Whitfield, a man incarcerated at Sing Sing who has become a playwright and actor through RTA. Raci plays RTA teacher Brent Buell with his signature irascible warmth from “Sound of Metal,” while one of Domingo’s longtime collaborators, Sean San Jose, gives a terrific performance as Mike Mike, Divine G’s close friend. However, the true star-is-born moment in “Sing Sing” belo.
