Video
Documentary, short and feature films about music, education, prisons and justice.
Songs Inside (2024). Directed by Shalom Almond, a feature-length documentary that chronicles the transformative journey of a group of women from the Adelaide Women's Prison in Australia.
Conducting Hope (2015). Directed by Margie Friedman. A documentary film about Elvera Voth (1923-2024) who founded the East Hill Singers (Kansas).
The Inside Singers (forthcoming). Documentary film about the Oakdale Choir. Not available publicly yet, contact Mary Cohen for access: mary-cohen@uiowa.edu
The Odyssey Project (forthcoming). Produced by Michael Morgan, directed by Mark Manning. The documentary film follows four incarcerated youths undertaking a performing arts curriculum of specialized modules, engaging in a series of theater practices that culminate in a public performance of a self-authored adaptation of the Homeric epic poem, the Odyssey.
Sing Sing (2023). Feature film about the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts Program at Sing Sing prison, directed by Greg Kwedar. The film stars Colman Domingo and professional actors alongside formerly-incarcerated alumni of the program.
Somebody to Lean On (forthcoming). Upcoming documentary about the Harmony Project led by David Brown, based in Ohio.
Songs From the Hole (2024). Netflix documentary directed by Contessa Gayles that details the life in prison of James "JJ'88" Jacobs, a man convicted of murder as a teenager and how he became a musician while in prison.
ONEFOUR: Against All Odds (2023). Netflix documentary directed by Gabriel Gasparinatos that follows Australian drill rap group ONEFOUR, defiant in the face of police efforts to stop them from performing.
Audio
Music and podcasts featuring IMAJIN members and friends.
Rrome Alone: Alim Braxton on death row’s bandcamp channel: https://rromealone.bandcamp.com/
Songs of Generative Justice: Bandcamp Channel https://songsofgenerativejustice.bandcamp.com/
Breath of Song: Podcast with easy to learn songs by rote. Every 5 episodes is an interview with a community songleader. Episode 150 is an interview with Mary Cohen
Musicambia: They have a new teacher toolkit for music-making in prisons. Contact them to receive it if it is not yet on their website: https://www.musicambia.org/
Opportuneity: New program with podcast and resources https://opportuneitymusic.org/
Banksia Beats Vol. I - III: Original songs written and recorded by young people at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, facilitated by leading Australian rap artists Optamus, Flewnt and Rush.