Greg Kwedar’s “Sing Sing” is a one-of-a-kind film set in the prison of the same name. Rather than look at the broken justice system, the A24 film focuses on a group of incarcerated men and their rehabilitation through the arts.

Colman Domingo stars as John “Divine G” Whitfield, a playwright who is incarcerated at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit. He works alongside his best friend Mike Mike (Sean San Jose) and program director Brent Buell (Paul Raci) to build their acting group at the prison. Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin plays a version of himself — someone with a knack for acting. Their prison acting group meets frequently to put on plays.

The foundation is based on a true story and the success of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program, which was founded at Sing Sing in 1996. That program has since expanded across New York state correctional facilities and includes dance,...