Some movies don’t just entertain

They press on something real.
A part of you you hadn’t seen reflected.
Or hadn’t had words for.
Or had quietly set aside — until the film brought it into the light.

They show you parts of yourself you don’t often see reflected.
And open a window into lives you’ve never lived — but suddenly feel connected to.

That’s especially true when the story hasn’t been sanded down for popular consumption.
When it’s grounded in lived experience, with all the specificity, messiness, and clarity that brings.

Many of these stories are by and about people whose voices don’t usually get the mic —
Women. Queer people. Indigenous people. Disabled people. Older people.

Often in languages other than English.
Often from places you’ve never been — but get to know through the film.

That’s what Reel Ruminators is for.
A space to watch differently.
To stay open to what moves you — and follow where it leads.

As a Reel Ruminator, you’ll sit with one recent film each month

Each month, you’ll discover one remarkable film from the last 10-15 years (and often the last year). The films are mostly international, often under the radar, always worth your attention.

Most of the Reel Ruminators films have been such a discovery for me — and aren’t ones I would have chosen on my own. It’s opened me up to new types of films that I really like.

One of the films that really lingered with me a lot…I saw the trailer and thought, I would not have watched this if I were just alone…and what a loss that would have been!”
— Nurri Kim, Founding Member

Reel Ruminators has introduced me to films I enjoyed and would never have heard of because I don’t have the time to spend researching them.

Even the films that didn’t earn my personal 5-star rating were stimulating and thought-provoking because they taught me something new about the possibilities of cinema.
— Nancy Mills, Founding Member

You’ll get just enough context to enter the film with curiosity and a sense of what to watch for:

• A short video introduction from me (Alex), with context and things to notice — no spoilers, just a nudge toward deeper watching
• Tools to help you notice what moved you — if you’re in the mood to go deeper

Every time Alex’s discussion questions ask me to think about the technical aspects of filmmaking — like pacing and frame composition — it opens up the film for me in a way I wouldn’t immediately go to.

It encourages me to rewatch each film to flex my critical viewing muscles and try to see what Alex sees.
— Nancy Mills, Founding Member, USA

And at the end of the month, you’re invited to a live 90-minute small-group discussion on Zoom — a space to share what you noticed, hear how others experienced the film, and explore new ways of thinking about it together.

Everyone has a different way of watching movies and expressing their thoughts about the movie even if it’s expressing a similar feeling.

Sometimes, other members have had a whole different perspective that I wouldn’t have thought about at all, and it’s fantastic.
— Nurri Kim, Founding Member, UK

Getting to know people across the world makes me feel very connected. It also means everyone is coming at the film from different frames of reference.

It helps me understand that I’m coming at things from a particular angle that’s influenced not just by who I am in my life but also where I’ve grown up — and other people are doing the same.
— Hazel Shaw, Founding Member, UK

What Reel Ruminators offers is space:

• To watch with more intention
• To take your time with what the film brings up
• To connect in a thoughtful, low-pressure, and genuinely curious space

Just room to notice what stayed with you — and share it, if you’d like.

The live discussion makes the whole month work. I like having the urgency to watch something that isn’t just looking at the gazillion films available and trying to figure out what I’m in the mood for.

With Reel Ruminators, I have one movie where I’m told this is good, and I have some accountability to make sure I watch the film. There is intelligent conversation to be had, so I need to ensure that I have seen the film so I can be part of it. Watching it and taking part in the conversation is so rewarding.
— Hazel Shaw, Founding Member, UK

When you engage in this space…

By the end of the month, you’ll have…

• Watched a recent film you might not have found on your own — and been glad you did
• Watched with intention — and noticed what stuck with you
• Heard how others experienced it — and noticed what that opened up for you
• Reconnected with what you love about film — not just the story, but how it’s told
• Felt less alone in your movie taste — and more connected to people with different perspectives, from different parts of the world, and at different stages of life
• Enjoyed the gloriously light mental load of having one thoughtful film picked for you

Reel Ruminators has helped to bring back the excitement and adventure of watching movies.

I feel less alone in my journey, less alone in in liking what I like. There’s real validation from speaking to people about this random movie that I know for a fact nobody I know in my life has watched. 

It was fun to meet new people, to hear things that did not occur to me at all but that were insightful or surprising.  I liked the movie even more after we discussed it…I feel more connected to the movie watching community.

I feel reinvigorated in my excitement about the possibility of movies and what they can offer. And I’m excited for the next one. 
— Michael Borek, Founding Member, USA

Ready to bring back the excitement and adventure of watching movies? This is for you if…

• You love movies — especially the ones that linger, surprise, or make you feel more connected to the world.
• You’re curious about film as an art form — but have found that most spaces are built for filmmakers or academics, not film lovers who just want to enjoy and explore.
• You’ve loved films that didn’t get much attention, and it’s made you wonder what else you’ve been missing.
• You’re thoughtful about what you watch — and appreciate having a space to share and hear reflections.
• You like the idea of the discussions but can’t always make them live — no problem, they’re recorded for you to watch later.
• You want the films & thoughtful context — without the live discussion. Whether that’s because of time zones, your schedule, or simply your style. (That’s what Reel Ruminators: Explorer is for.)

Whether you join every discussion or just watch on your own, you’ll be part of a community that values reflection, curiosity, and connection through film.

I don’t want to take a course, and I’m not trying to become a director, but I want to heighten my appreciation of films.

Reel Ruminators has helped me do that. I think about what the score is doing and what it’s saying. I think about frame composition in a way I never did before.

I just pay more attention now!
— Nancy Mills, Founding Member, USA

🎯 When you jump in, you’ll start with a movie that feels timely right now.

Sometimes, it’s about the rhythm of the year.
A sun-drenched story in the heat of summer.
A snow-covered film for the depths of winter.
Something light when you need a lift.
Something that asks a bit more of you — but gives more in return.

Other times, it’s about contrast.
A quiet film after an intense one.
A burst of humour after something weighty.
A shift in tone or theme to keep things fresh.

And sometimes, it’s about the cultural moment.
An emerging director right before their big breakthrough.
A film in conversation with the headlines — or showing you something the headlines aren’t.

This isn’t just about watching good films.
It’s about watching them at the right time— so they hit more deeply, because of when you see them.

👁 Most of the films we watch are hard to just stumble upon…unless you’re devoting a lot of time and energy to find them

So many of the films we watch here never get a wide release.

Not because they aren’t brilliant — but because they’re not in English, don’t have stars, or didn’t get a big marketing push.

Still, they linger. And they deserve to be seen.

About Me

Hi, I’m Alex Heeney, Film Critic, Podcaster, long-time champion of under-the-radar cinema, and Founder/Editor-in-Chief of Seventh Row

If you’ve been following Seventh Row — through the site, the podcast, the ebooks — you’ve seen the kind of work I champion. Films with something to say and a reason to say it that way.

For 20 + years, I’ve been seeking out international under-the-radar films by and about diverse groups (e.g., women, people over 50, and people who identify as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and disabled) at major film festivals (e.g., TIFF, Cannes, Sundance, Berlin, HotDocs, Visions du Reel, InsideOut, Frameline). I curate the best of these films in Reel Ruminators.

I’ve interviewed dozens of filmmakers from around the world, published 15 ebooks on film, and discovered there’s always more to learn about every aspect of filmmaking (from sound to cinematography to editing to production design and beyond) to understand how and why a film made me feel the way it did.

Reel Ruminators is a natural extension of that work — and a chance to watch more attentively, together.

Because you don’t need to go to film school to notice what’s powerful — or to want to talk about it with people who care, too.

🌱 Why join for 3 months?

Each film brings its own revelations. A new country, a new genre, and new themes.

Give it three months, and you’ll have watched films:

• From three different countries (and possibly continents!)
• In more than one language, or at least a language that isn’t English
• Across genres. Coming up: an urban odyssey, a screwball comedy, and a coming-of-ager
• Across diverse perspectives (e.g., LGBTQ+, Indigenous, women)
• For different moods: a family dramedy with a light touch, a frothy summer comedy, and a contemplative coming-of-age story
• That look completely different

I deliberately choose the films to give you variety, and in each year, we hop across all the continents.

But taken together, the films start to feel in conversation with each other, including in ways I didn’t necessarily intend and you might not expect.

You might wonder, what do a British political thriller, an Indigenous documentary from Canada, and a queer South African film have in common?

We watched all three of these back-to-back, and they all circle this key question:

What does it mean to stay connected — to yourself, to your family, to your community — in a world that keeps asking you to bend?

Here’s the thing:

When you watch films by and about people who don’t usually take centre stage – e.g., working class people (March), Indigenous people (April), and queer people (May) – they tend to surface feelings and ideas you don’t often see reflected. Stories about outsiders share some common threads.

You can absolutely join Reel Ruminators for just one month.
But if you really want to feel the shift — in how you watch, what you notice, and what stays with you — give it three.

Join us for the next 3 months, and see what unexpected common themes you notice

*Note that films are subject to change, as the programming is designed to respond to the current moment!

How it works

🎬 One film each month — thoughtfully curated and carefully timed
👀 Watch at your pace — streaming info + short intro video included
💬 Reflect on your own, or with others — optional prompts, no pressure
🤝 Join a 90-min live discussion — or watch the replay anytime
📚 Resources if you’re curious — go deeper into the film, its context, and craft

💡 Not a live call person? There’s a lighter-touch version without discussions — see FAQ for details.

I’m in! How do I sign up?

📌 Note: When your membership ends, so does your access. Stay subscribed to keep the library.
💡Or, if you know live calls aren’t your thing, there’s a lighter-touch version — see FAQ for details.

Try it out and see if it’s a good fit.
If you enjoy it, we’d love to have you back.

If it’s not for you, no problem! Cancelling is easy — and we’ll even send you a reminder a week before your membership renews on the 2nd of the month.

What happens after you join

Right away, you’ll get access to:

✅ The title of this month’s film
✅ Streaming info for your region
✅ A short video intro with cultural and cinematic context
✅ Optional reflection prompts and deeper-dive materials
✅ A one-click link to add the Zoom discussion to your calendar
🔓 Access to a growing library of films and resources — for every month you’re a member

📌 Note: When your membership ends, so does your access. Stay subscribed to keep the library.

You can dip your toes in to start or explore deeply.
Either way, you’re in good company.

FAQs

Is it okay to join late in the month?

Absolutely. You’ll be charged as soon as you join. You’ll be automatically added to the cohort for the next discussion.

• If you join before the August discussion date (Aug 24 at 2 p.m. ET), you’ll be in the August cohort — you’ll get all the info for this month’s film and are welcome to join the discussion.
• If you join after the August discussion (e.g., you join on August 24 at 7 p.m. ET ), you’ll be in the September cohort — the new film and supporting materials will drop on September 3.

Memberships always renew on the 2nd of the month, regardless of your start date.

You’ll keep everything for as long as you’re a member. No pressure to binge. No need to catch up. And when the next film drops on the 3rd, you’ll be right on time to start fresh with everyone else.

What if I can’t make every discussion?

Live discussions are one of the best parts of the Full Experience — but you’ll still get a lot out of them even if you can’t always be there in real time.

We record every discussion, so you can catch up later and still hear the insights, questions, and perspectives from the group. Many members find the replays just as valuable for noticing things they might have missed. And even people who join live often rewatch them.

You can also join in via our online discussion board — whether you’re responding to prompts or continuing a thread from the call. That way, you can still share your perspective and hear from others, even if you couldn’t make it live.

What if I don’t want to join the live calls at all?

That’s fine — some members never attend live, but they still get a lot out of the Full Experience.

You’ll still receive:

• The monthly film and short intro video to frame your viewing
• After You Watch Guide — spoiler-y reflection prompts to help you unpack your response
• The discussion recording so you can hear others’ insights, even if you didn’t join live

Some members join mainly for the films, context, and recordings. Others move between live and replay depending on their schedule.

If you know you only want the films and short intro video to make your first watch more rewarding — without reflection prompts or discussion recordings — there’s Reel Ruminators: Explorer, the lighter‑touch version.

Do I have to participate in the discussion?

The best conversations are as much about listening as talking — and many members say they learn the most by hearing others’ perspectives.

You’re welcome to attend and just listen in. But you’ll always have the opportunity to join the conversation if you like.

What is the time commitment?

It’s very flexible — you can make it as light or as deep as you like.

For most members, the basics take about 3–4 hours a month:

• Watching the films: Usually 90–150 minutes (more often on the shorter side).
• Live discussion: 90 minutes (optional — watch live or on replay).
• Intro video: ~20 minutes (optional but helpful before your first watch)

If you want to go deeper, you can spend more time with the After You Watch Guide (post-viewing reflection prompts), extra resources, and even rewatching.
Some members dip into those every month — others save them for when they have the time.

When do I find out what the movie is?

As soon as you join, you’ll see the title for this month’s film (if you join after the 3rd).

If you join before the 3rd, the title will be revealed to all members that day — part of the fun is the monthly surprise!

When is the discussion?

The discussion is live on Zoom on Sunday, August 24, at 2 p.m. ET for 90 minutes.

If you’re in the UK, that’s 7 p.m.

If you’re in Europe, that’s 8 p.m.

If you’re on the West Coast, that’s 11 a.m.

How do I watch the movie?

You’ll get a streaming guide with suggestions for your region.

Most months, you’ll need to rent or stream the film yourself, but I always make sure there’s a workable option for Canada, the US, and the UK.

If a VPN is needed, I’ll clearly note that — and I test to make sure it works before recommending it.

Honestly, a VPN is a great thing to have for any movie lover (and for other reasons, too).
I recommend one with a 30‑day money‑back guarantee so you can use it for the month and cancel if you like.

How much extra will I spend on streaming?

The films aren’t included, so you’ll need to rent or stream them.

Most are available as one‑off rentals or through platforms you may already have (like iTunes, Amazon, or local services)

Who else is in the group?

It’s a mix. Everyone is united by a love of meaningful stories, curiosity about other places and perspectives, and the desire to slow down with what they watch.

Past and current members include lawyers, engineers, non-profit professionals, union organizers, filmmakers, writers, academics, political organizers, and retired people — from the US, the UK, Canada, and beyond.

Because you don’t have to have a degree in cinema to have thoughtful insights worth sharing. 

I was worried I didn’t have film-expert insights to add — but that’s really not required. The community is so welcoming, and the emails felt genuinely encouraging.
— Reel Ruminators Member, Canada

What if I’ve already heard of (or even seen) the film?

Even members who’d seen the film before have said,
“I never thought about it like that.”

The intro video, prompts, and discussion can open up new angles — and sometimes, a rewatch reveals an entirely different film.

And if it’s a film you’ve been meaning to watch?
Sometimes, this is the nudge to finally press play — and give it the space it deserves.

“The first film I saw in Reel Ruminators, I’d never heard of it before, and I really liked it.

Another Reel Ruminators film was a film that’s been on my watchlist for four years.
Reel Ruminators gave me an excuse to sit down and finally watch it, which was valuable.

It’s a movie I ended up loving.”
— Jacob Klipstein, Founding Member, USA

Reel Ruminators isn’t just about discovering films — it’s about rediscovering your way of seeing them.

What happens if I miss a month?

You keep access to everything from the months you’ve been a member for as long as you’re a member.
You can dip back into films and materials anytime — no pressure to stay “caught up.”

Can I switch between Full Experience and Explorer?

Yes. You can switch at any time — just email me and I’ll help you make the change smoothly.
You can try a discussion for a single month, upgrade temporarily, or switch entirely — I’ll make sure you don’t lose any value.

I have another question!

Email me at contact@seventh-row.com, and I’ll be happy to answer!

Sounds great! How do I join?