ABOUT THE FILM

LONG 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

Writers James “JJ’88” Jacobs, Contessa Gayles

Producers Contessa Gayles, richie reseda, David Felix Sutcliffe

Executive Producers Jenny Raskin, Lauren Haber, Geralyn White Dreyfous, Regina K. Scully, Meadow Fund, dream hampton

Co-Executive Producers Kelsey Koenig, Robina Riccitiello, Lauren & John Driscoll, Jennifer Pelling, Dawn Bonder, Daniel J. Chalfen, Marci Wiseman

Co-Producer James “JJ’88” Jacobs

Editors Contessa Gayles, Rafe Scobey-Thal, Princess A. Hairston

Directors of Photography Michelle Kwong, Contessa Gayles

Music Written and Performed by James “JJ’88” Jacobs
music produced by richie reseda, Tairiq Bright and Garfield Bright III for TwiinTowers Productions, Dylan Wiggins, James “JJ’88” Jacobs
original score by richie reseda, Tairiq Bright, Garfield Bright III, James “JJ’88” Jacobs

Cast James “JJ’88” Jacobs, Victor Benjamin, William Jacobs Jr., Janine Jacobs, Reneasha Jacobs, Jacqueline Williams, Naaji Pruitt, Lauren “Indigo Mateo” Jacobs, Myles Lassiter, Devonte Hoy, Jovon Times, Africa Turner, Ernest Walker, Ryleigh Legget, Kellie Evans

FESTIVALS
2024: SXSW (World Premiere)

AWARDS
Visions Audience Award (SXSW), Jury Award—Best Feature Documentary (Black Star), Jury Award—Best Documentary Feature (Indie Street), Spirit of Paul Robeson Award (Newark Black), Audience Award (Buffalo Int’l), Best Documentary (Fist Up), Audience Award (New Orleans), Special Jury Mention (New Orleans)

AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World

EXHIBITION FORMATS
DCP, Digital Download