Two men serving out their time as cellmates at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center develop a life-changing connection with each other and the existential classic play “Waiting for Godot” in the documentary “Waiting for Life.”
Their enduring friendship and participation in staging the Samuel Beckett favorite in prison shape the illuminating documentary, showing at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Smith Rafael Film Center. The event brings director Staffan Julén and the film’s two subjects, Donald “Twin” James and Reginald “Happy” Wilson (with a few others) onstage for a post-screening conversation that night.
The movie screens, again with guests, at 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.
Julén’s inspiring film chronicles the men’s protective-of-each-other relationship and is particularly thought-provoking when Twin and Happy discuss how they related to “Godot” and the plight of its two characters Vladimir and Estragon, who discuss various issues while awaiting the imminent arrival of someone who never appears. It’s evident that performing in the production benefited both.
“Waiting for Life” makes for an ideal companion piece to “Sing Sing,” one of 2024’s best releases that perfectly captures how a group of men incarcerated at Sing Sing bonded as they put on a unique, original theater piece encouraged on by the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. The film stars former Bay Area thespian Colman Domingo in an awards-ready performance, Magic Theatre artistic director and Bay Area theater mover-and-shaker Sean San Jose and, in a breakthrough performance, Clarence Maclin. who was formerly incarcerated.
“Waiting for Life” does venture outside of prison walls as “Twin” and “Happy” seek a fresh start in a workplace environment that’s not always so welcoming. But in time, the duo—still the best of friends —find a new path in Los Angeles and strike out to help young men from landing where they did when they were younger. It’s an inspiring and hope-filled film.
The San Rafael screening is free, but tickets are required. Visit rafaelfilm.cafilm.org/waiting-for-life. Tickets are $10-$15 for the BAMPFA screening at bampfa.org/event/waiting-life.
Another, bigger San Quentin-related event is the upcoming, trailblazing San Quentin Film Festival on Oct. 10, the first such festival in the rehabilitation center. The program includes narrative and documentary shorts created by current and formerly incarcerated directors. “Sing Sing” is among the selections, as is the Sundance Audience Award-winning Netflix documentary, “Daughters,” closing the festival. Natalie Rae and Angela Patton’s heart wrencher shows the journey of four girls as they prepare for and participate in a daddy-daughter dance with their incarcerated fathers.
The San Quentin festival, with a star-studded jury (Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Wright, Mary Louise-Parker) and involvement from accomplished directors (Elegance Bratton of “The Inspection”; Joe Talbot of “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”; Greg Kwedar of “Sing Sing”; and Taylor Hackford) promises to be a high-profile, significant entertainment event on the Bay Area entertainment scene.
The San Quentin Film Festival is the brainchild of founders and co-directors Cori Thomas, a playwright (“When January Feels Like Summer,” “Lockdown”), screenwriter and author, and (no relation) the formerly incarcerated Rahsaan “New York” Thomas, who made the short “Friendly Signs” while in San Quentin, directed the exceptional short “What These Walls Won’t Hold” and is the award-winning podcaster of “Ear Hustle.”
For more information, visit sanquentinfilmfestival.com.
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