Somebody to Lean On
A short documentary on the Harmony Project prison choir in rural Ohio — and the power of music to build community.
Somebody to Lean On follows a men’s prison choir in rural Ohio as they create a new arrangement of “Lean On Me,” fifty years after Bill Withers wrote the iconic song — showing how shared creativity can ripple into hope and meaningful change.
Synopsis
Somebody to Lean On is a short documentary film about the Harmony Project prison choir in rural Ohio, exploring the power of music to build community. The film follows the choir as they work together to create an arrangement of the Bill Withers’ song “Lean On Me,” and in the process diving into the resonant themes of the song.
Centering the voices of those involved in the prison choir, the film gives insight into the incarceration system, counters stereotypical images common on TV, and shows how rehabilitation programs can strongly impact not only individuals, but also our communities inside and outside the walls.
