Join us on Wednesday, November 4 to experience a moving and thought-provoking film after a good meal in great company.
In her famous poem “The New Colossus,” Emma Lazarus describes the Statue of Liberty as
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome …
The flame from her torch has dwindled in recent years, and current U.S. policy and public sentiment are considerably narrower than “world-wide” welcome. What has changed? Can we be more welcoming again? Do we want to be?
The Visitor, which debuted in 2007 in the wake of the security crackdown that followed the September 11 attacks, explores the issue of immigration and the theme of cross-cultural connection. When a bored professor goes to New York City to present a paper, he finds undocumented immigrants living in his apartment. He befriends them, and when one gets detained by ICE, he tries to help. The film is as much—perhaps more—about his journey to empathy than his guests’ struggles to find refuge in America..
The Visitor is rated PG-13 and is appropriate for tweens and teens. It features Richard Jenkins (The Shape of Water, Eat Pray Love), Haaz Sleiman (Eternals), and Danai Gurira (Black Panther, The Walking Dead). Jenkins received an Academy Award nomination for his performance, and the film has an 89% critics’ rating (“Certified Fresh!”) on Rotten Tomatoes.
There will be a brief introduction before the movie and a discussion afterward.
Wednesday, November 4
Pizza dinner begins at 5 p.m., with a suggested donation of $5 per person, $15 maximum per family. The movie starts around 6 p.m. and is free for all!
Reservations: 413-253-2977 or office@amherstsouthchurch.org
Arts & Social Justice Series at South Church
This event is part of South Church’s 2026 Arts & Social Justice Series, which offers concerts, community gatherings, and cultural events.