Interview:
Greg Kwedar,
co-writer/director,
"Sing Sing"
Co-written and directed by Austin-based filmmaker Greg Kwedar, the fact-based drama Sing Sing focuses on the prisoners who seek solace and creative freedom in the New York State correctional facility’s theater program. As actor and playwright John “Divine G” Whitfield, Colman Domingo leads an ensemble cast of formerly incarnated men who participated in the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing. The film juxtaposes the prisoners’ efforts to stage an original time-travel comedy, called Breakin’ The Mummy’s Code, against Divine G’s ongoing bid for clemency. Complicating matters: a new member of the program, Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, not just disrupts the dynamics of the group but challenges Divine G off stage but much as he does on the stage. Sing Sing also stars Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin as himself and Sound of Metal Oscar nominee Paul Raci as playwright, program volunteer, and social activist Brent Buell. Sing Sing, which premiered locally during this year’s SXSW Film & TV Festival, opens Aug. 9 in Austin theaters. Greg Kwedar previously directed the 2016 thriller Transpeco and co-wrote the 2022 drama Jockey with his Sing Sing co-writer and creative partner Clint Bentley. Kwedar also co-wrote the upcoming drama Train Dream, which Bentley directed. The Austin Film Society presents a members-only screening of Sing Sing at 7 p.m. Aug. 9 with co-writer/director Greg Kwedar and producer Monique Walton in attendance. Aired: July 31, 2024. Web sites: https://singsing.movie/ https://a24films.com/films/sing-sing https://www.facebook.com/singsingmovie/ https://www.austinfilm.org/screening/sing-sing/ |
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