Center Aisle Cinema: "The Public"

This fictional film directed by Emilio Estevez tackles the challenges of those experiencing homelessness and mental illness. When a brutal cold front moves through, a group of homeless patrons refuses to leave the public library at closing time, an act of civil disobedience that turns into a standoff with police. Shown in collaboration with Operation Safe Winter CoMo. (2018, PG-13, 120 minutes.)

This month we break from our documentary tradition to show "The Public," a fictional independent film directed by Emilio Estevez which tackles the challenges facing those experiencing homelessness and mental illness. When a brutal cold front moves through Cincinnati, emergency shelters fill to capacity. A group of homeless patrons refuses to leave the downtown public library at closing time and an act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police. Shown in collaboration with Operation Safe Winter-CoMo. (2018, PG-13, 2 hours)

Stay for our panel discussion after the film! We will be speaking with community leaders and volunteers who work with those experiencing homelessness:

• Pastor Brad Bryan, Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church
• Dirk Burhans, volunteer with Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church & John Brown Mobile Soup Kitchen
• Renee Maxwell, volunteer with Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church
• Dr. David Webber, retired MU professor of political science, former DBRL library trustee & volunteer with Room at the Inn and Loaves and Fishes

See more about the Center Aisle Cinema series and other upcoming films.

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