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Reel Ruminators: A Movie-of-The-Month Enrichment Experience
Make a date with great international cinema every month.
In April, we’ll watch one of the most important films of this decade: an Indigenous film from Canada directed by an Indigenous woman about a hot-button issue and so much more.
At the end of the month, join a group of international movie lovers across generations for an online small-group discussion on the film.
Curator Alex Heeney will contextualize the film for you both cinematically and culturally, help you think about the film through many lenses (e.g., costumes, blocking, cinematography, genre), and guide you through the discussion.
April discussion date: Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. ET
Discussions are recorded and available to members as long as they are members.
Have you struggled to find excellent new international films to watch?
Are you tired of endlessly scrolling through streaming services for something promising to watch besides classics?
Do you find that even your local arthouse cinema is reluctant to play films that aren’t in English, don’t have big stars, or haven’t been generating tons of festival buzz?
Do you struggle to find good films to watch from around the world, especially if you don’t just want to watch films by and about cis, non-disabled, straight white men?
Do you struggle to find recommendations from film critics for films you haven’t heard of?
Do you enjoy reflecting on what you watch and want tools to get more out of what you watch?
You might ask yourself, why did I cry? Why did I laugh?
You might wonder, where do I learn about how the technical aspects of visual storytelling affect my experience of a film — without learning how to make movies?
Do you wonder how you can deepen your appreciation of film as an art form without going back to school or reading dry academic texts?
Do you enjoy movies more when you get to discuss them?
Does talking about art help you clarify your responses to it?
Do you want to learn from other people’s perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences?
Have you ever changed your mind about a film after seeing what someone else sees in it?
Reel Ruminators: A Movie-of-the-Month Enrichment Experience
Join us in April for an Indigenous film from Canada. The membership is available on a month-to-month basis.
Try it out and see if it’s a good fit. If you enjoy it, we’d love to have you back in May.
If it’s not for you, no problem! We make cancelling your membership a breeze.
What we’re watching in the coming months
April 2025
Indigenous film from Canada directed by an Indigenous woman
This Canadian Screen Award winner is one of the most important films of the 2020s.
It sensitively approaches a hot-button issue and may reshape how you understand empathy.
May 2025
Queer drama from South Africa directed by a BIPOC queer man
Queer BIPOC director about to break out
This 2019 BAFTA-nominated film is a queer story about a shameful recent chapter of history by a queer director who, despite being one of the foremost directors from his country, may finally have his big break this year — possibly at Cannes in the same month!
June 2025
Family drama by a Middle Eastern woman director
More details TBA!
How it works
1. Discover and watch the movie of the month
At the beginning of the month, the movie gets announced along with info on how to locate it.
You will watch a short spoiler-free introduction to the film by curator Alex Heeney, which will contextualize the film both cinematically and culturally.
You will also get four spoiler-free questions to guide your viewing.
2. Reflect on the film (with critical & curatorial guidance)
Delve deep on your own or wait for the discussion. It’s up to you.
There is no expectation that you will do any “homework” besides watching the movie, but Reel Ruminators provides lots of support should you wish to reflect on the film before the discussion.
Download the After You Watch guide for detailed spoiler-y discussion questions that will help you reflect on multiple aspects of the film, from costumes to characters to cinematography.
Learn more about the film through recommended essays, interviews with filmmakers, podcasts, and beyond.
3. Join us live on Zoom for the discussion
At the end of the month, we convene live on Zoom for a 90-minute discussion facilitated by Alex Heeney.
You’ll meet film lovers from across the world and at different stages of life. You’ll discover new perspectives on what you just watched to deepen your appreciation of the film — even if you don’t end up loving it.
If you can’t make a month’s discussion, no problem! We will record the discussion so you can watch it later.
Plus, you’ll have access to the entire library of movies added during your time – including the recorded discussion — as a member as long as you’re a member.
This membership is perfect for you if:
- You love movies and want to discover and watch more films that you wouldn’t necessarily stumble upon otherwise
- You’re a curious person who wants to learn about different people, perspectives, and places.
- You enjoy movies more when you get to talk about them, learn about them, or dive deeper into them (including with a rewatch)
- You enjoy thinking critically about movies — from the characters’ psychology to the film’s themes to the filmmaking choices that communicate them — and want more tools and opportunities to help you exercise this muscle without signing up for a class
- You want structure to build discovering and watching great movies into your life — with a low-stakes deadline to keep you on track and the flexibility to fit this into your busy schedule
Your Investment
$30 USD for 1 month
OR
$80 for 3 months
7-Day Money-Back Guarantee
There is a seven-day money-back guarantee with some conditions.
You must demonstrate that you’ve given Reel Ruminators a try by watching my intro to the first film and watching the movie.
If the experience is not valuable, you can get a full refund.
Email contact <at> seventh-row <dot> com and let me know what you thought of the film and why you did not find the experience of Reel Ruminators: A Movie-of-the-Month Enrichment Experience worthwhile.
About Me
Hi, I’m Alex Heeney, Film Critic and Founder/Editor-in-Chief of Seventh Row
Alex is a Tomatometer-approved film critic who has published 15 ebooks on film and interviewed filmmakers from around the world.
For 20 + years, she’s been seeking out international under-the-radar films by and about diverse groups (e.g., women, people over 50, LGBTQ+ people, Indiegnous people) at major film festivals (e.g., TIFF, Cannes, Sundance, Berlin, HotDocs, Visions du Reel, InsideOut, Frameline).
Over the years, she’s watched so many incredible movies go unnoticed and wants to make sure you don’t miss these films just because they are not English, don’t have movie stars, or are from first-time directors. (Even movie stars don’t guarantee a film’s release or marketing campaign!).
On the Seventh Row Podcast, she has facilitated discussions between film experts and film enthusiasts from a range of backgrounds and perspectives — because you don’t have to have a degree in cinema to have thoughtful insights worth sharing..
What Reel Ruminators Members are saying
Here’s what you get with each month of Reel Ruminators
- 1 x curated hidden gem of world cinema at the beginning of each month, with info on where to stream the film and what to think about while you watch
- 1 x month-long movie enrichment experience for every step of your ruminating journey that goes beyond the discussion: before you watch (a spoiler-free video introduction to the film by me to provide cinematic and cultural context, spoiler-free discussion questions), after you watch (in-depth discussion questions and additional resources to learn more about the film and filmmakers, including interviews with the creatives)
- 1 x 90-minute live Zoom discussion (Sundays at 2 p.m. ET) with fellow film enthusiasts to discuss the film at the end of the month. The only preparation required is watching the movie. Discussions are recorded and are available to members.
- From month to month, we’ll watch movies from this century from across continents, cultures, and languages, focusing on films by and about women and other marginalized groups (e.g., LGBTQ+, Indigenous, people over 50). These films will make you think and feel – both about their content and the art of filmmaking.
When you sign up now, you’ll also get the following BONUSES:
- Early and immediate access to the April edition. This means you’ll immediately find out the movie of the month and get access to all the supporting materials (introduction, audio commentaries, discussion questions, etc.) for the month.
- Access to the movie and enrichment materials for as long as you’re a member
I’m in! How do I sign up?
FAQs
What is the time commitment?
Watching the April 2025 movie: 2 hours
Live discussion: 1.5 hours
Video intro to the film: 15 mins
Beyond that, it’s up to you how much or how little to engage with the film and the materials.
When is the discussion?
The discussion is live on Zoom on April 27 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.
When do I find out what the movie is?
In April 2025, we’re watching an award-winning Indigenous film from Canada directed by an Indigenous woman that sensitively approaches a hot-button topic and may reshape how you think about empathy. It’s one of the most important films of this decade.
Once you purchase access to Reel Ruminators: April 2025, you’ll find out the title of the movie.
How do I watch the movie?
The streaming guide will suggest options for streaming or renting the film in your country. I only program films that you will be able to access.
What if I can’t make the discussion?
No worries; life gets busy! That’s why we record every discussion, so you can watch it later.
As long as you’re a member, you’ll have access to all the films, supporting materials, and discussion recordings for all the months you were a member.
What is the financial commitment?
It costs $30 USD to participate in the April 2025 edition (or $80 USD to sign up for 3 months). This gives you access to the title of the movie of the month, the streaming guide, intro video, other supporting materials, and live discussion (and recording).
If you don’t enjoy the experience, no problem! Cancel anytime. You can still access everything until the end of your prepaid period.
Love the experience? Amazing! Your monthly membership will auto-renew at the beginning of May, and you’ll get access to the May 2025 edition.
You are not obligated to continue to May, June, July, etc. Try Reel Ruminators out and decide if you’d like to stick around.
Before you’re charged for the next month, you’ll find out what country the movie is from, a short précis for the film, and the discussion date.
Seven days before your membership auto-renews, you’ll get an email reminder of the upcoming payment, so you have loads of time to cancel if you need to.
I have another question!
Email me at contact@seventh-row.com, and I’ll be happy to answer!