Virtual Film Event – ‘Hale County This Morning This Evening’- Saturday, October 17
What is it?
The immersive nature of great films offer us the precious opportunity of visiting new worlds with new eyes. Where will this story meet yours? Along with a handful of folks from around the world, we will get to ask that question together.
You’re invited to join our sixth ‘Virtual Film Event,’ watching and conversing about Hale County This Morning This Evening, director RaMell Ross’ Oscar-nominated 2018 documentary, a poetic 76 minute visual story, capturing the lives of people in rural Alabama. What does it mean to black in the south? Mr. Ross answers that question with stunning creativity and empathy. He moved to live there for several years, working as a basketball coach and teacher of photography. He gets on the inside of the community, walking alongside people so that he could create the unique opportunity he offers us viewers – to be there on the inside along with him.
How will it work?
On Saturday, October 17 at 20:00 CEsT-Rome time/14:00 EST-New York time, we will all join a Zoom call to introduce ourselves and get some context that will help frame the film. We will start the film around 20:30 Rome time. Please have the film ready to watch on whichever service you are using. If you’re unsure where to find it, JustWatch provides a list of streaming services and prices to rent the film digitally–just do a search for Hale County This Morning This Evening. Following the film, we’ll get back together on Zoom to share our responses. Kyle and Rebekah will facilitate our large group conversation. We will break into small groups to give us more space.
How can I get the most out of it?
We’d recommend watching RaMell Ross’ fun interview about the film with Trevor Noah of the The Daily Show as an introduction. You can watch it in advance of our virtual gathering.
Do I need to sign up?
Yes please! If you are planning on joining it would be really helpful if you could drop a line in the comments below to let us know. Also, if you haven’t already done so, registering for the site will give us what we need (your email address) so that we can send you the proper links for our pre and post film Zoom conversations. Please also leave a comment if you have any questions.
Hope to see you on October 17th!
Kyle
*image & trailer posted for non commercial purposes under fair use of copyright material in recommendation of the film
3 Comments
Submit a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Recent Posts
The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
The Music of Bees, debut novel by Eileen Garvin, is a thoughtful, life-affirming story that invites the reader to consider the healing power of community. It is present day rural Oregon; a region dotted with fruit farms as well as other agricultural endeavors.
Films with a Common Theme: Difficulty in Close Relationships
The past week I happened to see three 2025 films that had in common the theme of pains and deficits in close relationships…
Mr. Kato Plays Family by Michiko Flašar
“Mr. Kato Plays Family” by Michiko Flašar is a quiet, sensitive novel that stays with you long after reading. Anyone expecting a loud, dramatic story will be surprised—for this book draws its strength from small moments, in the gaps of everyday life. At the center is Mr. Kato, a man who can be hired to play the role of a family member. He steps in where closeness is missing: as a temporary husband, father, or son. What initially seems like a bizarre idea quickly turns out to be a touching exploration of loneliness, longing, and the question of what family actually means.
If we are going to move forward in the world we have to grow empathy for one another. This film does that.
Hi Kyle, Yes, I have seen this documentary and look forward to see it with you tomorrow.
I recently watched, ‘In the Heat of the Night’, a 1967 film starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger, that won five Oscars and felt like one of the best studies of race relations of that era. I was absolutely gripped by the entire film, as it is really a murder mystery but says so much about race in the USA.