Screen Arts group brings Sing Sing to Kindersley

By Joan Janzen

Thanks to the efforts of Kindersley Screen Arts and its sponsors, local movie buffs had the opportunity to see a film that would not normally make its way to the Kindersley’s Sunset Theatre. The movie Sing Sing—Trust the Process was the selected drama shown on November 23rd. The script is based on an extraordinary true story.

It was storming that Saturday afternoon, but that didn’t stop locals like myself from trudging through the storm to watch a movie. After all, what else is there to do while it’s storming? And we were in for a treat, as this was a unique, heartfelt drama.

Sing Sing is a maximum security prison operated by the New York State Department. Two inmates were portrayed by academy award nominees; however the remainder of the cast were formerly incarcerated amateur actors. They had acquired their acting experience while participating in Sing Sing’s theatre group.

The novice actors played themselves in the movie, which is why viewers may have yet to detect their inexperience onscreen. The drama the inmates chose to perform was a comedy. It was obvious they were all in need of a good laugh and were on a journey to become free enough inside to laugh at themselves.

The main character, Divine G, was sentenced to 25 years for a crime he didn’t commit, and the theatre group provided him with purpose and a momentary escape from prison life.

A newcomer to Sing Sing, played by actor Clarence Maclin, joins the theatre group. The audience watches as this bitter, angry, distant man undergoes a difficult but necessary transformation.

As the story unfolds, the inmates watch with mixed emotions as several of their peers are released. One returns to visit and shares the challenges and joys of entering the outside world, while another inmate escapes quietly through death.

Amidst dealing with a myriad of emotions, including grief, loneliness and disappointment, the theatre group finds freedom in camaraderie, laughter, dancing and song. At the conclusion of the film, Divine G is proven innocent and released from Sing Sing.

Throughout the film, the inmates acknowledge their deepest emotions, which gives them the freedom to enjoy getting into character on stage. They prove that healing and personal growth can be found within the confines of prison walls.