This week on On Story, AFF Senior Film Programer Andy Wolk sits down with writer-producer Clint Bentley and producer Monique Walton to deep-dive into the making of Sing Sing. Based on the real-life Rehabilitation through the Arts program at New York’s Sing Sing Maximum security prison, the powerful film follows a group of incarcerated men who find purpose and creativity through their prison theater troupe. The feature earned wide-spread critical acclaim, not only for the feature’s moving portrayal of change and exploration of human expression, but also for the cast’s inclusion of real-life formerly incarcerated men who were alumni of the program. The formerly incarcerated men perform alongside starring actor Colmon Domingo. 

Clint Bentley co-wrote Sing Sing with the film’s director, Greg Kwedar. Bentley is known for his previous feature screenplays, Transpecos and Jockey which was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Monique Walton is a leading indie producer and a recipient of a Film Independent Spirit Awards Producers Award. Prior, Walton produced Annie Silverstein’s award-winning debut feature Bull which premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. 

Bentley and Walton discuss their process of crafting and capturing a story based on authentic life experiences and having faith the project will come together. 

Sing Sing Clips courtesy of A24.