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Mount Vernon’s Clarence “Divine” Maclin Is A 2025 Oscar Nominee For Best Adapted Screenplay For Sing Sing The Movie

Date:

Mount Vernon native Clarence “Divine” Maclin is a 2025 Academy Award nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay of Sing Sing, a prison drama film based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison, that centers on a group of incarcerated men involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows through the program. (see trailer below).

Sing Sing received three nominations. Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada were nominated for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song), Colman Domingo was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role and Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John Divine G Whitfield nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.

When he was 29, Maclin was sentenced to 17 years at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility for robbery. During his incarceration, Maclin participated in the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. Since his release, Maclin has worked as a youth counselor, creative arts specialist, and gang intervention specialist at Lincoln Hall Boys Haven in Somers, New York. He made his feature film debut in Sing Sing, portraying a younger version of himself. Maclin’s performance has received critical acclaim. For the role, Maclin earned nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the 30th Critics’ Choice Awards, 34th Gotham Awards, 40th Independent Spirit Awards, 29th Satellite Awards, and 78th British Academy Film Awards; he won the Gotham. He later was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film, alongside co-writers Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, and John “Divine G” Whitfield, an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for his writing contributions to the film.

Ricardo ‘Kasheem” Gunn and Clarence “Divine” Maclin appeared on Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Show Episode 310 on Sunday, August 1, 2021 (see video below) to discuss the Art of Escape – Two of Mt. Vernon’s OGs Talk About the Role of Art in Going from Soldiers to Survivors.

Plot of the movie:

Divine G, incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for a crime he did not commit, discovers a sense of purpose through participation in a small theater group made up of fellow inmates. These inmates are part of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, which aims to use theater as a form of rehabilitation. Under the guidance of theater director Brent Buell, Divine G emerges as the star playwright and performer, highly respected for his emotional depth and acting talent. While pursuing his passion for theater, Divine G is also determined to prove his innocence and regain his freedom.

As the group prepares for their new production, Divine G takes part in recruiting new members, including a gruff and aggressive inmate named Divine Eye played by Maclin, with a difficult personality. Initially, Divine Eye is dismissive of acting and performance, considering it a pointless and disingenuous pursuit. In contrast, Divine G views theater as a transformative and therapeutic process that helps individuals connect with their inner selves. The two men clash further when they disagree on the genre of their next play. Divine G advocates for another drama to challenge his acting abilities, while Divine Eye pushes for a lighthearted comedy, a choice supported by the majority of the inmates. Their rivalry intensifies when Divine Eye auditions for the only dramatic role in the comedy, frustrating Divine G, who sees it as hypocritical and is puzzled by this decision from Divine Eye.

Over the following weeks, the inmates engage in acting exercises led by Buell, designed to help them tap into their emotions. Divine G excels effortlessly at all the acting exercises, demonstrating vulnerability and inspiring his peers, while Divine Eye struggles, unable to connect with his emotions or the art of acting. However, after a heart-to-heart conversation where the two open up about their personal lives, Divine Eye begins to open up and take the program more seriously. His acting skills gradually improve, earning the respect of the group, including Divine G and Buell.

The RTA group eventually performs a sample of the play for the prison’s board of executives to gain approval for their production. Despite a chaotic and mixed performance, the board approves the play, surprising the RTA group.

Divine G’s world is shaken with grief and sadness when a fellow inmate, Mike Mike, with whom he had bonded, passes away due to a brain aneurysm. At a clemency hearing, Divine G delivers a passionate speech about how acting has changed him for the better, only to be blindsided when the interviewer questions whether he is simply acting at the present moment that he is delivering this parole hearing. Divine G’s parole is denied, while Divine Eye’s hearing is approved and he is granted release.

During a dress rehearsal, tensions rise as Divine G suffers a breakdown, having lost hope that the RTA program will make any difference in helping them. Frustrated and disillusioned, he attempts to fight Divine Eye and walks out of the performance, effectively exiling himself from the group.

In the following days, Divine G isolates himself. Divine Eye eventually reaches out and the two reconcile. Divine G apologizes for his outburst and Divine Eye reassures him that he is always welcome back in the group. The play is a success and Divine Eye is soon released from the facility, becoming a free man.

Divine G successfully passes his parole hearing and is released a year later. Divine Eye waits outside to greet him and the two share an emotional reunion before driving away together, hopeful for the future. The film closes with real-life footage from the RTA program at Sing Sing, featuring the real actors who portrayed themselves in the film, performing in past productions when they were still inmates at the facility.

Maclin’s story and transformation prove that your worst mistakes does not have to dictate your future. He is an inspiration for younger generations!

AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief and co-owner of Black Westchester, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Rap Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others. Follow me at Blue Sky https://bsky.app/profile/mrajwoodson.bsky.social and Spoutible https://spoutible.com/MrAJWoodson

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Black 2 Business

Mount Vernon native Clarence “Divine” Maclin is a 2025 Academy Award nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay of Sing Sing, a prison drama film based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison, that centers on a group of incarcerated men involved in the creation of theatrical stage shows through the program. (see trailer below).

Sing Sing received three nominations. Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada were nominated for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song), Colman Domingo was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role and Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John Divine G Whitfield nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.

When he was 29, Maclin was sentenced to 17 years at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility for robbery. During his incarceration, Maclin participated in the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. Since his release, Maclin has worked as a youth counselor, creative arts specialist, and gang intervention specialist at Lincoln Hall Boys Haven in Somers, New York. He made his feature film debut in Sing Sing, portraying a younger version of himself. Maclin’s performance has received critical acclaim. For the role, Maclin earned nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the 30th Critics’ Choice Awards, 34th Gotham Awards, 40th Independent Spirit Awards, 29th Satellite Awards, and 78th British Academy Film Awards; he won the Gotham. He later was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film, alongside co-writers Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, and John “Divine G” Whitfield, an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for his writing contributions to the film.

Ricardo ‘Kasheem” Gunn and Clarence “Divine” Maclin appeared on Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Show Episode 310 on Sunday, August 1, 2021 (see video below) to discuss the Art of Escape – Two of Mt. Vernon’s OGs Talk About the Role of Art in Going from Soldiers to Survivors.

Plot of the movie:

Divine G, incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for a crime he did not commit, discovers a sense of purpose through participation in a small theater group made up of fellow inmates. These inmates are part of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program, which aims to use theater as a form of rehabilitation. Under the guidance of theater director Brent Buell, Divine G emerges as the star playwright and performer, highly respected for his emotional depth and acting talent. While pursuing his passion for theater, Divine G is also determined to prove his innocence and regain his freedom.

As the group prepares for their new production, Divine G takes part in recruiting new members, including a gruff and aggressive inmate named Divine Eye played by Maclin, with a difficult personality. Initially, Divine Eye is dismissive of acting and performance, considering it a pointless and disingenuous pursuit. In contrast, Divine G views theater as a transformative and therapeutic process that helps individuals connect with their inner selves. The two men clash further when they disagree on the genre of their next play. Divine G advocates for another drama to challenge his acting abilities, while Divine Eye pushes for a lighthearted comedy, a choice supported by the majority of the inmates. Their rivalry intensifies when Divine Eye auditions for the only dramatic role in the comedy, frustrating Divine G, who sees it as hypocritical and is puzzled by this decision from Divine Eye.

Over the following weeks, the inmates engage in acting exercises led by Buell, designed to help them tap into their emotions. Divine G excels effortlessly at all the acting exercises, demonstrating vulnerability and inspiring his peers, while Divine Eye struggles, unable to connect with his emotions or the art of acting. However, after a heart-to-heart conversation where the two open up about their personal lives, Divine Eye begins to open up and take the program more seriously. His acting skills gradually improve, earning the respect of the group, including Divine G and Buell.

The RTA group eventually performs a sample of the play for the prison’s board of executives to gain approval for their production. Despite a chaotic and mixed performance, the board approves the play, surprising the RTA group.

Divine G’s world is shaken with grief and sadness when a fellow inmate, Mike Mike, with whom he had bonded, passes away due to a brain aneurysm. At a clemency hearing, Divine G delivers a passionate speech about how acting has changed him for the better, only to be blindsided when the interviewer questions whether he is simply acting at the present moment that he is delivering this parole hearing. Divine G’s parole is denied, while Divine Eye’s hearing is approved and he is granted release.

During a dress rehearsal, tensions rise as Divine G suffers a breakdown, having lost hope that the RTA program will make any difference in helping them. Frustrated and disillusioned, he attempts to fight Divine Eye and walks out of the performance, effectively exiling himself from the group.

In the following days, Divine G isolates himself. Divine Eye eventually reaches out and the two reconcile. Divine G apologizes for his outburst and Divine Eye reassures him that he is always welcome back in the group. The play is a success and Divine Eye is soon released from the facility, becoming a free man.

Divine G successfully passes his parole hearing and is released a year later. Divine Eye waits outside to greet him and the two share an emotional reunion before driving away together, hopeful for the future. The film closes with real-life footage from the RTA program at Sing Sing, featuring the real actors who portrayed themselves in the film, performing in past productions when they were still inmates at the facility.

Maclin’s story and transformation prove that your worst mistakes does not have to dictate your future. He is an inspiration for younger generations!

AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief and co-owner of Black Westchester, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Rap Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others. Follow me at Blue Sky https://bsky.app/profile/mrajwoodson.bsky.social and Spoutible https://spoutible.com/MrAJWoodson

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