Sing Sing (2023)★ 7.9/10

A caress to the soul

This film gave us a glimpse of light in the broken system, as it is very genuine and beautiful in every way. Let us envision a world where art is not a subject of consumption but a means for healing and liberation. I cried again when the end credits started rolling.

Prison stories are typically heavy, but this film takes a unique, artistic approach to showcasing the struggle of human nature within that context. What stands out is the cast—while the leads are professional actors, the supporting roles are played by real ex-convicts. The film also pioneered an equity model, sharing box office profits with both actors and supporting cast members. For all these reasons, no matter how the movie turns out, I am willing to support it.

This is a film that never feels preachy. Presenting the prison performance workshop through a realistic approach is a clever and thoughtful choice. Plus, the 16mm lens and Bryce Dessner’s soundtrack are absolutely stellar!

Really good! Emotional, unique, well-acted. Plus it's based on a true story, which is pretty cool. If you like theatre, this movie is for you.

Well, I finally saw it. After almost a year of failed wide theatrical releases, SING SING is now available to rent or buy On Demand. I was hoping to see it on the big screen, but the Academy Awards are coming up quickly, so here we are. After all of the build-up and anticipation, this movie met my high expectations. Based on an article The Sing Sing Follies by journalist John H. Richardson, it tells the story of the inmate theatre troupe of Sing Sing prison in New York, through the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program cofounded by John “Divine G” Whitfield (Colman Domingo). After the recruitment of Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin (as himself), the troupe is shaken up, for better or worse. They embark on preparations for a new play, a comedy this time around, guided by Brent (Paul Raci). Despite the morbid environment and each character’s individual situations, the movie has a strong message that art can transform people for the better. It allows the inmates to express their feelings in a healthy and an emotionally mature way that brings out vulnerability. Second chances and all that. I would classify this as a documentary-style drama, since it’s shot on handheld film, and almost all of the troupe played fictionalized versions of themselves: David “Dap” Giraudy, Patrick “Preme” Griffin, Mosi Eagle, James “Big E” Williams, Sean “Dino” Johnson, Dario Peña, Miguel Valentin, Jon-Adrien “JJ” Velazquez, Pedro Cotto, Camillo “Carmine” Lovacco, and finally, Cornell “Nate” Alston. John “Divine G” Whitfield himself has a cameo. I wanted to make a point in naming everybody, they all did an amazing job. I understand there’s a reason for prisons, but we as a society need to remember that we are all human. I’m so happy I finally saw this movie, and I will SING SING from the highest mountaintop that this got snubbed for a spot in the Oscar category of Best Picture. It’s even made me second-guess my pick for Best Actor. Damn you Colman Domingo for being so good, earning 2 nominations 2 years in a row!

Este é um filme que nunca parece monótono. Apresentar a oficina de desempenho na prisão por meio de uma abordagem realista é uma escolha inteligente e ponderada. Além disso, a lente 16mm e a trilha sonora de Bryce Dessner são absolutamente fantásticas!

As histórias de prisão são tipicamente pesadas, mas este filme adota uma abordagem artística única para mostrar a luta da natureza humana nesse contexto. O que chama a atenção é o elenco – enquanto os protagonistas são atores profissionais, os papéis coadjuvantes são interpretados por ex-presidiários reais. O filme também foi pioneiro em um modelo de capital próprio, compartilhando os lucros de bilheteria com atores e membros do elenco de apoio. Por todas essas razões, não importa o resultado do filme, estou disposto a apoiá-lo.

Este filme nos deu um vislumbre de luz no sistema quebrado, pois é muito genuíno e bonito em todos os sentidos. Imaginemos um mundo onde a arte não seja um objeto de consumo, mas um meio de cura e libertação. Chorei de novo quando os créditos finais começaram a rolar.

Esta peli no intenta sermonearnos, lo cual ya es un plus. Que hayan presentado el taller de actuación en la prisión de una forma súper realista fue una elección ingeniosa y considerada. Ah, y los detalles técnicos son increíbles: el uso del 16mm y la banda sonora de Bryce Dessner son espectaculares.

Las películas sobre prisiones suelen ser pesadas, pero esta se sale de lo común con un enfoque artístico que explora la lucha de la naturaleza humana. Lo que más me impactó fue el reparto: los protagonistas son actores, pero los secundarios son exconvictos reales. Además, compartieron las ganancias del cine con todos los participantes. Solo por eso ya merece nuestro apoyo.

Esta película es pura luz en un sistema roto. Es tan auténtica y hermosa que no pude evitar llorar, especialmente cuando comenzaron los créditos finales. Me dejó pensando en un mundo donde el arte no solo sea para consumir, sino para sanar y liberar.