Join us on Tuesday, March 30th at 7 pm for a discussion of the documentary "Obit. The New York Times Obituary Writers." It's a shame no one wants to talk to them at parties, because obituary writers are a surprisingly funny bunch. Ten hours before newspapers hit neighborhood doorsteps--and these days, ten minutes before news hits the web--an obit writer is racing against deadline to sum up a long and newsworthy life in under 1000 words. The details of these lives are then deposited into the cultural memory amid the daily beat of war, politics, and football scores.
 "Obit." is the first documentary to explore the world of these writers and their subjects, focusing on the legendary team at The New York Times, who approach their daily work with journalistic rigor and narrative flair. Going beyond the byline and into the minds of those chronicling life after death on the freshly inked front lines of history, the film invites some of the most essential questions we ask ourselves about life, memory, and the inevitable passage of time.

You can access this film using Kanopy, a free streaming resource available with your library card. For details on how to use Kanopy, check out a video tutorial available on the library's website here. Reach out to Lizzie at 978-671-0948 ext. 4113 or lmeier@billericalibrary.org with any questions.

(Movie summary courtesy of Kanopy)