Podtalk: Paul Raci, Divine Eye Maclin & Dino Johnson of ‘Sing Sing’

Submitted by PatrickMcD on July 17, 2024 - 6:47pm

CHICAGO – The power of performance is on unique display in “Sing Sing,” getting a wider release on Friday (July 19th). It’s directed/co-adapted by Greg Kwedar and features the consummate Colman Domingo. The film is set in the infamous prison, as the incarcerated become a troupe of actors, and how it changes their lives.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Divine G (Colman Domingo) is doing time in New York State’s Sing Sing prison, and finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other men who are also incarcerated. Their acting coach/play director (Paul Raci) is a patient mentor, but some troupe members – like “Divine Eye” (Clarence Maclin) – are going to have a rockier path towards interpreting this variation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

Colman Domingo (left) and Clarence ‘Divine Eye’ Maclin of ‘Sing Sing’
Photo credit: A24

The story uses actual formerly incarcerated actors alongside Domingo Colman and the other professionals, but all are equally present. The redemptive power of pretending to be something else is on display, filtered through the intense experiences of both society’s law breakers and rejected persons (including the majority as people of color). Frustrations, revelations and a calming influence follow the troupe to their stage play, where all the men in this case are merely players, in a fascinating journey.

Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com recently interviewed Paul Raci, Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin and Sean “Dino” Johnson (as another incarcerated actor). Raci is a veteran character actor, nominated in 2019 for “Sound of Metal.” Maclin is portraying a variation on himself, formerly incarcerated, who went through the program depicted on screen. Johnson is a formerly incarcerated board member of RTA, the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program which puts the inmates on stage, and the Executive Director of a non-profit violence reduction initiative, the Council for Unity.

L to R: Paul Raci, ‘Divine Eye’ Maclin and ‘Dino’ Johnson of ‘Sing Sing’
Photo credit: A24

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Actor Paul Raci of “Sing Sing” on inspirations and Joaquin Phoenix …

Actors Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin (speaks first) and Sean “Dino” Johnson (a Philosopher King, listen to his reflections), the formerly incarcerated actors in “Sing Sing” …

Divine Eye and Dino answer an acting question …

Trailer, “Sing Sing” …

”Sing Sing” has a wider release on July 19th, and opens in Chicago on August 2nd. See local listings. Featuring Colman Domingo, Paul Raci, Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin and Sean “Dino” Johnson. Screenplay adapted by Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley. Directed by Greg Kwedar. Rated “R”