Hello Reader, What do a British political thriller, an Indigenous Canadian documentary, and a queer South African drama have in common? Honestly… I wasn’t sure at first either. I programmed them inside Reel Ruminators because they were different: crossing genres, continents, and perspectives. And yet, in hindsight, I realized they were all circling some of the same big questions. Watching and thinking about one film changed how I watched and thought about the others. And I have an inkling that sharing this experience might change the way you view films, too. Tune in to this week’s episode of the podcast to join me on a journey through these films and how they each helped to illuminate the others. 🎧 Listen to the episode: Cheers, P.S. If you’ve been curious about what it’s like inside Reel Ruminators, this episode offers a peek behind the curtain—and a taste of the kinds of conversations we have. P.P.S. This month, we’re watching a Palestinian family dramedy that’s funny, tender, and not otherwise available in North America. You can join us here → seventh-row.com/reel-ruminators |
Seventh Row is a nonprofit Canadian film criticism publication and publishing house. We're dedicated to helping you expand your horizons by curating the best socially progressive films from around the world and helping you think deeply about them. This newsletter is run by Seventh Row (http://seventh-row.com) but features exclusive content not found on the website.
Sometimes, committing to one curated film a month can lead to unexpected shifts in how you see films — and yourself. That’s exactly what Hazel, a longtime member of Reel Ruminators, has experienced. In this week’s podcast episode, she reflects on what she’s taken away from a year of participating — and how that simple, consistent practice has shaped the way she approaches films. We talked about: What happens when you watch films that aren't suggested by an algorithm. Why gathering with film...
Early in this month’s Reel Ruminators film, the heroine declares: “I don’t want to meet interesting people, I want to be interesting.” That line gives you a sense of the film's tone: witty and searching, with something deeper always lurking beneath the surface. Join us this month for an effervescent trip to France for a film that’s bright, funny, emotionally rich, and full of restless energy. The film, which premiered at Cannes in Critics’ Week, is the first feature from a woman to watch,...
Some films change every time you rewatch them — not because they shift, but because you do. The mark of a great film is that it can meet you again — and offer more. Not just because your perspective has changed, but because the film is rich enough to hold what you couldn’t yet see. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Andrew Haigh’s 45 Years — and we’re celebrating it on the podcast because it’s one of the best films of the century. I’ve watched it at least once a year over the past...