Cinema Journey

What is Cinema Journey?

Part of our A Place for Films network, Cinema Journey is a film club that helps us engage in our personal journeys of spiritual growth through the story-telling power of movies. Spiritual growth requires a process of change and a shift in perspective that entails letting go of our egos and allowing our spirit-centered selves to emerge. Cinema Journey utilizes the cinematic story-telling elements of light, color, action, dialog, character development, symbolism, cinematography and music to facilitate that change and shift in perspective. In this way, movies help us to step outside of our comfort zones and access our more authentic, inner truths, which, in turn, help us to move towards deeper relationship with each other, our communities, our planet, and the Divine (however we understand the Divine). 

About Our Themes

Each season, we watch and discuss four movies that are connected by a common underlying theme. While our themes span a wide range of subjects, they always share an underlying element of the Jewish wisdom tradition. Past season's themes have included Creation, Honoring Parents, Listening, Middot, New Paradigms, Renewal of Spirit, Pillars of Value, and the Evolution of Community.

Our theme for the 2024-2025 season is Power: Bad Inheritance. Each of the four diverse, penetrating and thought-provoking films that we will watch and discuss this season will offer a different perspective on the downstream effects of the white, male power structure on women, indigenous people of color, the environment, and white men of conscience. Film discussions are hosted by Valerie Edwards.

How to Participate

Cinema Journey is open to anyone interested in watching and discussing meaningful movies. You don't have to be a HAMAKOM member, Jewish, or living in Southern California! If you have family or friends who might enjoy Cinema Journey, please invite them to join us!

During each film conversation, Valerie will invite you to delve deeply into the nuances of the film's characters, plot-lines, cinematography, symbolism, music and dialog. You'll be invited to immerse yourself in the movie's "world" and to see that world through the eyes of the film's characters. Valerie's lively, iterative, question-driven style creates a welcoming and inspiring space for audience members to explore and share their experiences of the film - and to discover in that film its underlying life lessons and hidden spiritual truths.

Ready to get started? It's easy!

1. Sign up here to join the Cinema Journey mailing list! Every three months or so you'll receive information about out upcoming movie, including how to watch it and details for joining the film conversation. It costs nothing except to stream the movies at your convenience.
2. Click RSVP to let us know that you're planning to attend the upcoming discussion.
3. Watch the film on your own. Streaming and rental availability for the upcoming movie is listed below.
4. Attend the film discussions in person or via Zoom. Enjoy!

June 17, 2025
The Descendants

How do you fight 'The Man' when you ARE 'The Man'?
Taking responsibility for white, male privilege

January 2025
Limbo

What happens when the systematic erosion of trust has been cultivated as a weapon of power and control?
Institutional racism in law enforcement

March 21, 2024, 7pm
Women Talking

What happens to a community if its members betray each other?

September  28, 2023, 7pm
Morning Glory

What happens to a community when it's members withhold their trust, creativity and love?