From Prison Walls to Oscar Walls: John "Divine G" Whitfield’s Hollywood Dream
John "Divine G" Whitfield, a man who spent a quarter of a century behind bars at New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility, always held an unwavering belief in the power of manifestation. That belief, born from the depths of wrongful conviction and nurtured by the transformative power of art, has propelled him to heights he once only dared to dream of: the Academy Awards.
Whitfield’s extraordinary journey is inextricably linked to "Sing Sing," a gripping prison drama that draws heavily on his lived experience. From the very beginning of the film’s production, he possessed an unshakeable conviction in its potential. He remembers repeatedly declaring to the cast and crew, "This movie is going to be big!" His words, fueled by hope and resilience, proved to be more than just wishful thinking. They became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
"Sing Sing" has garnered critical acclaim and resonated deeply with audiences. Its impact was cemented with three Oscar nominations, a testament to the talent and dedication of everyone involved. Colman Domingo’s powerful performance earned him a nomination for Best Actor, while the film’s original song, "Like a Bird," received a nod for Best Original Song. But perhaps the most poignant recognition came in the form of a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for Whitfield himself, shared with director Greg Kwedar, co-writer Clint Bentley, and actor Clarence Maclin.
For Whitfield, the nomination is not merely a personal triumph, but a symbol of hope and redemption for countless others. It is a testament to the transformative power of art and the unwavering human spirit’s ability to overcome even the most daunting obstacles. Reflecting on his journey, Whitfield shared, "I think he’d say, ‘Hey, it’s possible!’" He added, "I mean, who would expect this movie would be embraced so well? But dreams can come true, and our movie is a representation of that fact."
He has a simple message to his younger self and to anyone facing adversity: "Just stay the course, keep your heart pure, and keep on helping people. Throw out good into the universe, and it comes back tenfold."
"Sing Sing’s" path to the Oscars began at the Toronto Film Festival in 2023 and continued with its theatrical release last summer. Director Greg Kwedar’s interest in the project was sparked nearly a decade ago when he encountered a 2005 Esquire article about Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), a theater program at Sing Sing. This program provides incarcerated men with invaluable life skills through writing and performing.
The film centers on the friendship between Whitfield, portrayed by Domingo, and Maclin, who plays himself. Their bond strengthens as they work together to stage "Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code," an original time-traveling comedy.
From the outset, the filmmakers emphasized that their primary goal was not awards recognition. According to Kwedar, "The gift was just getting to make it."
A remarkable aspect of "Sing Sing" is that nearly the entire cast is comprised of formerly incarcerated men. The filmmakers consciously made efforts to keep their stories at the forefront throughout awards season. They even advocated for and assisted in JJ Velazquez’s exoneration of his wrongful murder conviction last year. They also continue to advocate for Whitfield, who was released from prison in 2012 but is still awaiting full exoneration.
Kwedar and Bentley also emphasize the contribution of Maclin and co-star Sean Dino Johnson, both of whom now have acting representation. Kwedar expressed disappointment that Maclin didn’t get an Oscar nod, saying, “I really would’ve loved to see that best supporting actor (Oscar) nod for Clarence – I’ll be honest, that one hurt.”
Despite the disappointment, they are proud that "two RTA members are now Oscar nominees – that’s a first for the organization."
Inspired by the family they forged during the production of "Sing Sing," the filmmakers aim to infuse future projects with the same sense of equity and collaboration. In the days leading up to the Academy Awards, they held a workshop at San Quentin Prison in Northern California, where they taught inmates the fundamentals of filmmaking. Bentley explained, "It was such a beautiful, grounding way to start a crazy week."
Kwedar emphasized that the experience demonstrated that their work does not have to end with the Oscars. He shared that "If there’s a lesson, it’s that you need to do the work to cultivate that kind of community. Also, another big thing I want to do going forward is to hire the incredibly talented formerly incarcerated artists coming up."
Whitfield has been overjoyed since the Oscar nominations were announced in January. "It’s hard to believe, man, but it’s definitely sinking in," he said. "Everybody (from RTA) is enjoying this moment. I guess my win is their win as well."
He arrived in Los Angeles the Monday before the telecast and spent his downtime taking long walks around the city. He also attended the Oscar class photo, where he was seated next to Ralph Fiennes.
Throughout awards season, he enjoyed getting to chat with Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce. He also enjoyed meeting Demi Moore, whom he admires greatly. "I’ll go see everything with Demi in it," he proclaimed.
The past year has been filled with memorable moments for the cast, from screening the film for currently incarcerated men at Sing Sing prison to staging a condensed version of "Mummy’s Code" with the original cast at New York Theatre Workshop. However, some of Whitfield’s favorite experiences have been buying tickets to see "Sing Sing" in theaters and observing audience reactions.
“People will be crying and I’m just like, ‘Wow,’” Whitfield said. “It’s good that people are actually getting the message that humans can change their behaviors. In RTA, our whole mission for many years has been to share the power of art and how it’s so healing. This movie has given us a vehicle to do that.”
Whitfield’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of hope, the transformative potential of art, and the possibility of achieving the impossible. His story serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us that even in the darkest of circumstances, dreams can indeed come true.
