How it works:

We begin the night with dinner. Food is important. It helps to create a convivial atmosphere and allow all to get to know each other. An introduction to the film is offered by the host, helping to prepare the audience to enter the film with the right spirit and with an attitude of engagement. The intro should help young people who may not be used to watching or appreciating such films, to be open and patient, and it should offer some insights (without spoilers) on what the audience can hope for and what to look out for.

The film is screened and a certain discipline should be encouraged (no mobile phone distractions, no talking or interruptions during the film etc). This will build an environment where all can enter the film and engage with it.

Afterwards, the host leads a discussion and critique of the film. This is perhaps the most important part of the night, as it is where all get to unpack the experience. All to often we watch something without thinking about it afterwards, but here, all are encouraged to look past their initial emotions and wrestle with each other level of the film. Sometimes a person may not have realised the full potential of the film until this discussion time, when hearing from others, then they are able to reflect upon what they just watched in a new light, with perhaps greater depth. We are all unique, and we should not be surprised by great insights from others that we may have missed ourselves. In this discussion, we share the riches of the experience and we contemplate the meaning and entertainment value of the film. Discussion may be slow to get started so the host should be ready with some opening remarks to allow others to continue processing the experience.

Lastly, the audience are encouraged to think about the film over the following weeks, and put down in writing some observations, whether a single short paragraph or a longer essay, on their experience and contemplation of the film. A selection of these are uploaded on this blog site, to be shared with the greater worldwide “Recordatio” community.