The 2023 American prison drama Sing Sing was written and directed by Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, respectively. The movie is based on the actual Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison, which involves a group of men in prison who create theatrical stage productions.
It was released by A24 in the United States on July 12, 2024, after making its debut in the Special Presentations section of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. The American Film Institute and the National Board of Review ranked it among the top 10 movies of 2024, and critics gave it favorable reviews. It was nominated for three awards at the 78th British Academy Film Awards (Best Actor for Domingo and Best Supporting Actor for Maclin) and the 97th Academy Awards (Best Actor for Domingo), among other honors.
Was Sing Sing based on a true story?
Yes, Sing Sing sheds light on the actual Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, which was created at the highest security prison of the same name and has seen inmates participate in countless theatre plays. A notable aspect of the film is that, in addition to well-known Oscar nominees Paul Raci and Colman Domingo, the ensemble cast consists of other amateur actors who have also benefited from the program. Thanks to Sing Sing, RTA is now becoming more well-known than it was over thirty years ago.
Are the actors in Sing Sing real prisoners?
Yes, the following cast in the film were once a part of the the program in the facility:
Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin
David "Dap" Giraudy
Patrick "Preme" Griffin
Mosi Eagle
James "Big E" Williams
Sean "Dino" Johnson
Dario Peña
Miguel Valentin
Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez
Pedro Cotto
Camillo "Carmine" Lovacco
Cornell "Nate" Alston
John "Divine G" Whitfield
Where can I watch Sing Sing?
Sing Sing is available to be rented on the following platforms:
Prime Video
Apple TV Plus
Fandango at Home
Where is the real Sing Sing facility located?
Operated by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison for men located in the village of Ossining, New York, USA.
Along the east bank of the Hudson River, it lies roughly 30 miles (48 km) north of Midtown Manhattan. As of 2007, it houses roughly 1,700 prisoners. Green Haven Correctional Facility had the execution chamber by the late 20th century, but it also hosted the State of New York's execution chamber for a while, with the last execution taking place there in 1963. In 2007, the death penalty was abolished completely in New York.
Also read: Cast of Sing Sing
FAQs about Sing Sing
A. The 2023 film Sing Sing is available to rent on Prime Video, Apple TV Plus and Fandango at Home.
A. Yes, the actors in Sing Sing are real prisoners apart from Colman Domingo, Sean San José and Paul Raci.
Sing Sing was shot in several abandoned prisons over a period of 19 days in July 2022.
