As the sun dipped behind Manhattan’s skyline, the red carpet outside the OKX Theater came alive for the Tribeca premiere of Just Sing. From the moment I arrived, it was clear this wasn’t just another screening—it was a transcendent experience that defied the conventional boundaries of documentary filmmaking. Covering the Tribeca Film Festival premiere for The Ball Out wasn’t merely an assignment but rather an invitation to witness the rare alchemy that occurs when music, narrative, and purpose collide with breathtaking precision.
A Transcendent Documentary Experience
Directors Angelique Molina and Abraham Troen have crafted nothing short of a masterpiece—a visual and aural tapestry that weaves together disparate voices into a harmonious whole. Their cinematic language speaks in whispers and crescendos, capturing the ineffable quality of human connection through the universal medium of song. The documentary’s visual palette—rich with intimate close-ups and sweeping ensemble shots—mirrors its thematic journey from isolation to community, from silence to expression.
Visionary Direction and Artistry
I was fortunate to interview the luminous cast and visionary creators, including the directors, composer James Righton (whose score deserves award consideration for its subtle emotional intelligence), and the remarkable participants from SoCal Vocal. When asked to distill the essence of Just Sing into a single word, their responses formed a chorus of their own: “hope,” “inspiration,” “happiness,” and “touching.” These weren’t mere platitudes but authentic reflections of a project that had clearly transformed its participants as much as it will transform audiences.
Righton’s score deserves special mention—it neither overwhelms nor undersells the human voices at the film’s center. Instead, it creates a sonic landscape where vulnerability feels not just safe but celebrated. The composition work exhibits a rare restraint, knowing precisely when to swell and when to recede, mirroring the emotional journey of the film’s subjects with remarkable sensitivity.
The red carpet itself was a masterclass in authentic glamour: a harmonious blend of grace, elegance, and genuine gratitude that felt refreshingly divorced from Hollywood’s often performative spectacle. Each interaction revealed another facet of the film’s multidimensional impact. Janina Colucci’s luminous presence and articulate passion for the project stood in beautiful counterpoint to Mateo Gonzales’ thoughtful reflections on finding community through artistic expression. These weren’t rehearsed soundbites but genuine testimonials from artists forever changed by their participation.
Beyond Mere Viewing
What elevates Just Sing beyond conventional documentary territory is its unwavering commitment to authenticity. Molina and Troen resist the temptation to manufacture conflict or impose narrative convenience. Instead, they trust in the inherent drama of human connection—the tentative first steps toward vulnerability, the breakthrough moments of shared harmony, the transformative power of being truly heard.
After the screening concluded, the audience rose in unison—a standing ovation that felt less like obligation and more like necessary catharsis. What followed transcended even the film itself: a live musical performance that embodied the documentary’s central thesis about resilience, joy, and the courage to be seen. The boundary between subject and audience dissolved in that moment, as the theater itself became a temporary community united through the simple yet profound act of bearing witness.
The Power of Vulnerability
In an era of cynical content creation and algorithmic art, Just Sing emerges as a radical act of sincerity. It reminds us that vulnerability, far from being weakness, might be our greatest untapped resource. The documentary doesn’t just observe its subjects finding their voices—it creates a space where we, the audience, might rediscover our own.
Just Sing isn’t merely a film to be watched but an experience to be absorbed, a reminder that sometimes the most revolutionary act is simply opening your mouth and allowing your truth to be heard. In its celebration of human connection through artistic expression, it offers not just entertainment but a gentle manifesto for a more harmonious world.
This isn’t just a movie. It’s an act of courage, encased in melody—one that will resonate long after the credits roll.
