• What is it?

We’d like to invite you to join our third ‘virtual film night’, this time watching director Kenneth Lonergan’s first feature film, You Can Count on Me, with actors Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo as adult brother and sister protagonists.

• Why (this) film?

Kenneth Lonergan, whose 2016 film Manchester by the Sea won him the Academy Award for best screenplay, and was nominated for Best Picture, is celebrated for his compelling portrayals of human beings dealing with loss. He honed his exceptional craft at writing dialogue as a playwright, before taking his first plunge into the film world with You Can Count on Me, an intimate portrait of how much a brother and sister can mean to one another. To quote our own Nexus film expert and Lonergan enthusiast, Rinus, You Can Count on Me explores. . . “what happens to people when they are exposed to terrible suffering. It is not necessarily about coming back from a tragedy. Lonergan rather seems to say that many don’t learn to live with and move on from what happened–that it’s part of them for the rest of their lives. He does not promise that coming back and redemption will make them stronger than before. These tragedies have deep and possibly remaining effects on them, affecting who they become and how they will continue with their lives. Lonergan confronts us with the question concerning whatever grace we have in the face of our struggle with life.”

• How will it work?

On Thursday, June 4 at 20:00 (CEsT-Rome time) we’ll all join a Zoom call to say hi and introduce ourselves. We will start the film around 20:30. 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. Following the film we’ll check back in on the Zoom call to share our responses. Kyle will host our discussion.

• How can I get the best out of it?

We’d recommend listening to the lovely conversation between ‘This Movie Changed Me’ podcast host Lily Percy and musician/podcaster Hrishikesh Hirway, who shares why You Can Count on Me so deeply impacted him. You can listen 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 June 4!

Kyle & Tim

*image & trailer posted for non commercial purposes under fair use 
of copyright material in recommendation of the film

   

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