Songs from the Hole

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Songs from the Hole

2024

1h 46m

Documentary

Drama

Music

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80%

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5 Reviews

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0 Ratings

At 15, he took a life. Three days later, his brother's life was taken. A moving chronicle of forgiveness, family, and the transformative power of art, SONGS FROM THE HOLE weaves music and storytelling into an innovative documentary visual album. Through clear-eyed narration and lyrical journal entries, incarcerated musician James "JJ'88" Jacobs reveals his innermost struggles as a person who has both committed and experienced violent harm. While serving a double-life prison sentence, he searches for healing and peace as he comes of age in this documentary-musical odyssey composed behind bars. In a unique creative process director Contessa Gayles (The Feminist on Cellblock Y, Founder Girls) collaborated with protagonist/writer JJ'88 and producer/music producer richie reseda to interweave the collective storytelling of the film's non-fiction participants, with imagined memories, dreams and spiritual dialogues set to JJ'88's original music. The result is a powerful mix of truth-telling and dreaming that reveal the potential for healing and liberation within us all.

Daniel Fienberg

The Hollywood Reporter

A fresh and lyrical take on the genre.

Mar 14, 2024

Full Review

Todd Gilchrist

Variety

Co-writer and director Contessa Gayles combines nakedly vulnerable reflections from James "JJ'88" Jacobs with poetic recreations for a deeply affecting experience, both musically and dramatically.

Mar 13, 2024

Full Review

Carla Renata

The Curvy Film Critic

Songs From The Hole simultaneously teaches the lesson of how music not only entertains, but literally can save lives and how faith is only as powerfully strong as you allow it to become.

Apr 27, 2024

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A heart-wrenching hip-hop visual album.

Rated: C+

Apr 13, 2024

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Alan French

Sunshine State Cineplex

At the heart of Songs From The Hole is a story of redemption and finding your true self. Yet it never pretends its subject is perfect. Its willingness to engage with profoundly upsetting and harsh truths helps it soar.

Rated: 8/10

Mar 14, 2024

Full Review

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Contessa Gayles

Director

Kellie Evans

Actor

Devonte Hoy

Actor

Myles Lassiter

Actor

Contessa Gayles

Writer

JJ'88

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Synopsis

At 15, he took a life. Three days later, his brother's life was taken. A moving chronicle of forgiveness, family, and the transformative power of art, SONGS FROM THE HOLE weaves music and storytelling into an innovative documentary visual album. Through clear-eyed narration and lyrical journal entries, incarcerated musician James "JJ'88" Jacobs reveals his innermost struggles as a person who has both committed and experienced violent harm. While serving a double-life prison sentence, he searches for healing and peace as he comes of age in this documentary-musical odyssey composed behind bars. In a unique creative process director Contessa Gayles (The Feminist on Cellblock Y, Founder Girls) collaborated with protagonist/writer JJ'88 and producer/music producer richie reseda to interweave the collective storytelling of the film's non-fiction participants, with imagined memories, dreams and spiritual dialogues set to JJ'88's original music. The result is a powerful mix of truth-telling and dreaming that reveal the potential for healing and liberation within us all.

Director: Contessa Gayles
Producer: Contessa Gayles, richie reseda, David Felix Sutcliffe
Screenwriter: Contessa Gayles, JJ'88, Contessa Gayles
Production Co: Artemis Rising Foundation, Impact Partners, Cocomotion Pictures
Genre: Documentary, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 46m