Songs Inside: Can Music Change Lives In The Complex World Of A Women’s Prison?

Ten Australian documentaries are in competition at the Sydney Film Festival for the coveted Documentary Australia Award. Songs Inside is one of the outstanding documentaries nominated, directed by Shalon Almond who was also at the helm of documentaries Prisoner and Pups and My Long Neck.

Songs Inside was filmed inside Adelaide Women’s Prison and explores the healing power of song and musicianship when a group of incarcerated women undertook a prison program to learn instruments and write their own songs.

“The women – who come to the program low in confidence and self-worth – are quickly thrown into a world of creativity and blossoming self-determination. But the process also opens up deep scars around trauma and addiction, threatening a once-in-a-lifetime prison performance alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra,” explained Almond.

Shooting a film in a women’s prison may not be the most ideal location as there are many challenges and difficulties to overcome, however Almond found the experience quite rewarding.

“There is a real tension that situations can change in an instant and become very unsafe. Prison doesn’t feel like a comfortable space, but my experience was extremely positive. I always felt safe and at ease and felt that the women always had my back. They trusted me wholeheartedly with their stories and we shared a very honest and authentic relationship.”

Almond spent 6 months shooting the film and said that a strong bond formed with the women participants who claimed they felt so at ease that they forgot the camera was filming them.

“I became very close with many of the women and heavily invested in wanting them to succeed as part of the music program – and even more so once they walked out the front gates.”

Many of the women who had never touched a musical instrument or sung in public prior to participating in this program were preparing for a prison community performance with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Almond was there to witness and film their journey.

“Over the six months I saw the women grow in self-confidence, gain insight into their addictions and trauma, and for some take accountability for their serious offending. The experience for everyone involved was truly life-changing, and for some of these women who have now been released – the experience has actually been lifesaving,” enthused Almond.

Nancy Bates works with the women on the inside and her program is highly disciplined and music skilled, but ultimately, it’s regarded as a wellbeing program.

“The program draws on techniques from narrative therapy and empowers the participates to share and own their own stories and in turn gain great insight from the experience.”

Almond said the most rewarding aspect of screening Songs Inside to audiences is seeing the reactions.

“We’ve had reactions of tears and laughter from high school students to male prisoners to senior citizens. The healing power of music is so universal. Music is so powerful in that way, it makes us feel human and we can all find freedom in it – no matter which side of the fence you’re on.”

When asked whether it’s an honour being nominated for a Documentary Australia Award at the Sydney Film Festival Almond was quick to respond.

“It’s so amazing and such an honour to be nominated. This film has been nearly five years in the making and such a labour of love, so to now see the film connecting with audiences out in the world feels like such a joy and a privilege.”

And is winning the award important?

“To win the award would be incredible in terms of the strong platform it would offer our social impact campaign and goals around the film, but just to be nominated so very special,” concluded Almond.

Screens Jun 13 – 14 at the Sydney Film Festival.