An acclaimed all-star cast, including The Goldberg’s Stephen Tobolowsky and Golden Globe Nominee Timothy Bottoms (The Last Picture Show), star in Welcome to the Men’s Group, screening December 6 at Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.
One Sunday a month, eight men refrain from beer and football to sit in a circle where they share their personal issues, in the noble hope of becoming a bit more evolved than their fathers. On this day, things do not go as planned when one member appears headed for a breakdown, and long-standing conflict and secrets threaten to destroy the trust between the men.
Phil Abrams (“Parenthood”), Mackenzie Astin (“Homeland”), David Clennon (Gone Girl), Joseph Culp (Apollo 13) and Ali Saam (Argo) also star.
“Welcome to the Men’s Group” is a comedy-drama that explores real-life issues that affect everyone (not just men). The modern male is under pressure like never before, and WTTMG explores how men deal, or don’t deal, with these issues, and how it effects their lives and families.
This film takes us inside the intimate dynamic of an all-male support group (read character outlines) when they gather one morning for a ritual breakfast and their unique form of male bonding — One Sunday a month, these eight men refrain from beer and football to sit in a circle where they share their personal issues, in the noble hope of becoming a bit more evolved than their fathers.
On this day, things do not go as planned when one member appears headed for a breakdown, and long-standing conflict and secrets threaten to destroy the trust between the men.
The pic is an emotional roller-coaster through the often bumpy inner terrain of the male psyche, as we hear the men open about their lives, sharing truth, telling lies, and revealing secrets they dare not discuss in their lives.
The film is largely inspired by the phenomenon of the “Men’s Movement” of the past 30 years that was championed by writers like the poet Robert Bly and his bestselling book “Iron John” which explored the need for men to reconnect to their authenticity through storytelling, myth and ritualized gathering. The film shows the major shift in men’s consciousness and the changing attitudes towards traditional models of masculinity that are evolving every day.
It is a challenging look at “male vulnerability”. It also uses humor and irreverence to celebrate the zaniness and absurdity of men – “Irreverence is the doorway to the sacred.” Ultimately the film shows a group of flawed men in a noble, painful and outrageously funny struggle to find their authenticity and a sense of community, and invites us, both men and women, to do the same.
SCREENING DETAILS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 at SMITH RAFAEL FILM CENTER
A PANEL DISCUSSION about the film and men’s issues today will follow with:
Joseph Culp (writer/director/co-star), Jed Diamond (MenAlive.com, My Distant Dad), Dr. Warren Farrell (The Boy Crisis, Myth of Male Power), Lion Goodman (TribeofMen.com, Clear Your Beliefs), John Gray (The Boy Crisis, Men are From Mars…), Mark Schillinger (Young Men’s Ultimate Weekend)
WHEN: Thursday, Dec 6, 2018 at 7:00PM
WHERE: Smith Rafael Film Center 1118 4th Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
GET TICKETS NOW: https://rafaelfilm.cafilm.org/welcome-to-the-mens-group-2/
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/49r51S_jcxU
Media ContactCompany Name: OCTOBER COAST PRContact Person: Kate CrockerEmail: Send EmailPhone: 0011 +61 3 99996034 ext. 314City: LOS ANGELESState: CACountry: United StatesWebsite: http://rafaelfilm.cafilm.org/welcome-to-the-mens-group-2/
