Doors are now open for May
How often do you consciously consider what makes you love movies?
What are the unique tools of cinema that you can’t find in theatre, books, or songs?
If you only watch movies for the stories and the characters, why do you watch film adaptations of books? Why not just read the novel?
How often do you notice a film’s sound design or frame composition as a way to unlock, for example, your understanding of how you share a character’s loneliness?
And how can learning the language of film deepen your appreciation of the films that move you, to include how and why they move you?
Movies also connect us to other people around the world…
Have you ever made an instant friend when you discovered that they loved the same movies you loved?
Has watching movies from other parts of the world ever made you feel connected to other parts of the world?
Has a movie ever sparked an emotional conversation that you would have never had if you and the other person hadn’t seen the same movie?
But being a movie lover these days can be frustrating…
- Losing endless hours scrolling through streaming services for something promising to watch instead of actually watching movies
- Forever playing catch-up with a To Watch List that’s so long you don’t even know where to start
- Drowning in mainstream or even independent movies that don’t appeal to you
- Missing out on even more amazing independent and international films you never even hear about because you don’t have endless hours to spend researching them
- Discovering an amazing off-the-beaten path film and finding you have nobody to talk to about it because nobody you know has seen it
- Falling head-over-heels for a film, but not being able to articulate what makes this movie special beyond the story and characters
- Failing to connect to a film that works for other people and wondering what you’re missing
- Wanting to get more out of the few films you do have time to watch, but not sure where to look
- Wishing you could dig deep into everything that makes a movie tick, but not wanting to do it alone or sign up for a class
- Feeling like you never have time to do everything you need to do, let alone watch movies
What would it mean if…
- You could stop scrolling and know you’d land on a good film that would introduce you to people, places, and perspectives you might not have otherwise encountered?
- You discovered one movie worth watching this month that you may have otherwise missed, which could open your eyes to a whole world of cinema you may not have previously considered? And it only took two hours?
- You could focus on just one movie and consider it slowly and mindfully as a break from your hectic everyday routine?
- You had movie lovers to talk to about that movie who could offer fresh perspectives and insights, deepening your appreciation of the film?
- You could sharpen your critical eyes and ears and deepen your appreciation of cinema as an art form so you get more out of the movies you do have time to watch?
- You could become a more observant movie-watcher without going back to school or reading dry academic texts?
About Me
Hi, I’m Alex Heeney, Film Critic and Founder/Editor-in-Chief of Seventh Row
Ten years ago, I interviewed Céline Sciamma about her film Girlhood, and she talked about using sound to help you share the loneliness of the film’s protagonist. It was the first time I’d ever even considered the emotional impact of sound on film.
Fast forward to now, and I’ve interviewed dozens of filmmakers (including sound designers) from around the world, published 15 ebooks on film (including the first book ever published on Sciamma!), 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 deepen my appreciation of the art form.
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.
Over the years, I’ve watched so many incredible movies go unnoticed and want 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!).
In Reel Ruminators, I have facilitated and learned from discussions between film lovers from a range of backgrounds and perspectives, including lawyers, engineers, non-profit professionals, union organizers, filmmakers, writers, academics, political organizers, working-age people, retired people, Canadians, Brits, Americans, and people who identify as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and/or disabled.
Because you don’t have to have a degree in cinema to have thoughtful insights worth sharing.
Reel Ruminators: A Movie-of-The-Month Enrichment Experience
“Reel Ruminators has helped to bring back the excitement and adventure of watching movies.”
– Michael Borek, Founding Member, USA
“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.”
– Nancy Mills, Founding Member, USA
“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.”
– Hazel Shaw, Founding Member, U.K.
Join us for the May 2025 edition of Reel Ruminators…
Together, we will watch and discuss an LGBTQ+ film from South Africa by a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker who is about to have a big break this month at the Cannes Film Festival with their new film.
The title of the film will be revealed when you join Reel Ruminators.
At the end of the month, join a group of international movie lovers across generations for an online small-group discussion on the film.
May discussion date: Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. ET
Discussions are recorded and available to you, as a member, for as long as you are a member.
What You’ll Experience
- The gloriously light mental load of having one less movie to choose this month (and the knowledge that you have a great hidden gem to look forward to!)
- Being connected with an international community of film lovers who are curious about the world and about film outside the mainstream
- People and places on film that you might not have otherwise encountered or visited — and which you can only encounter in this way through film
- Opening yourself up to a new type of movie you might have otherwise missed (and might not have even expected to like) — and discovering new creatives whose work you may want to follow in the future
By the end of May, you’ll have:
- Watched one of the best works of contemporary Queer African Cinema that is both tender and violent (and gorgeous to look at)
- Met movie lovers from across the world, across generations and backgrounds
- Shared and listened to ideas and reflections about the film with movie lovers who are eager to hear yours and share theirs
- Deepened your appreciation of this particular film, with new lenses and perspectives to see it through
- Developed your critical lens for film as an art form — and discovered new ways of thinking about film
- Brought back the excitement and adventure of movie-watching, and reconnected to how movies can relieve stress rather than cause stress
What’s Included
- Title of the movie of the month
- Intel on where to stream it
- Video introduction to the film by curator Alex Heeney
- Resources to help you think through your response to the film
- Resources to learn more about the making of the film and the cultural context of the film
- 90-minute facilitated discussion on Zoom, including guided activities that will attune you to filmmaking details (e.g. frame composition, juxtaposition of sound and image, editing) whether you’re a casual movie lover or a film expert
- User-friendly Membership dashboard where you can access every single member resource
Your Investment
$30 USD to join for May
OR
$80 to join for May, June, and July
The membership is available on a month-to-month basis and renews automatically.
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. (We even send you a reminder a week before your membership renews.)
What we’re watching in the coming months
May 2025
Queer drama from South Africa directed by a BIPOC queer man
This BAFTA-nominated film is a queer story about a shameful chapter of recent 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!
July 2025
Frothy queer summer comedy from France by a woman director
This Cannes Critics’ Week title is a hilarious delight about a woman in search of summer romance and her place in the world. Think Bringing Up Baby meets Frances Ha.
The film was nominated for the GLAAD Media Awards and the Dorian Award for Unsung LGBTQ Film of the Year and picked up several festival awards for Best Emerging Filmmaker.
When you sign up now, you’ll also get the following BONUSES:
- Immediate access to the May 2025 edition. This means you’ll immediately find out the movie of the month and get access to all the supporting material 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?
What Reel Ruminators Members are saying
How Reel Ruminators Works
1. Discover and watch the movie of the month
At the beginning of the month, the title of the movie gets announced along with info on how to locate it.
There will also be a short spoiler-free introduction to the film (15 mins or less) by curator Alex Heeney, which will contextualize the film both cinematically and culturally and give you some things to watch for.
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 or after 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 frame composition, to sound design, to editing (even if you’ve never thought twice about these before).
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.
FAQs
What is the time commitment?
Watching the May 2025 movie: 1h44 mins
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 May 18 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 May 2025, we’re watching an LGBTQ+ film from South Africa by a BIPOC LGBTQ+ filmmaker whose latest film (which I suspect will be a hit) will screen in the Cannes Competition this month!
Once you purchase access to Reel Ruminators: May 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 May 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 June, and you’ll get access to the June 2025 edition.
You are not obligated to continue to June, July, August, 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!