Interview: Clarence Maclin on Embracing Vulnerability and the Joy of ‘Sing Sing’

No film in 2024 has moved me as profoundly as Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing. Starring Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing revolves around a group of incarcerated men in the upstate New York prison putting together an original theater production.

Clarence Maclin delivers a standout performance that anchors the emotional core of the story. Portraying a complex and multifaceted character, Maclin navigates a world of crime, redemption, and personal struggle with remarkable depth. His nuanced portrayal of an inmate grappling with his past and his uncertain future behind bars showcases his ability to bring both vulnerability and strength to the role. With mere glances and a quiet intensity that captivates the audience, Maclin embodies the tension between survival and transformation, making his performance one of the most remarkable aspects of Sing Sing.

In the video above, Maclin joins Awards Buzz’s Shadan Larki to discuss the years-long process of bringing his personal story to the screen and how tapping into vulnerability and joy helped him redefine a dark chapter and deliver one of the year’s best performances in the process.

Sing Sing returns to theaters on Friday, January 17th.