FREE Film Screening: THE PUBLIC

Friends of the Palm Springs Library (Friends) understands and shares our neighbors' concerns regarding the growing issue of homelessness in our community. In the interest of addressing these concerns and exploring possible remedies, we are sponsoring a screening of the film, "The Public," written, directed by, and starring Emilio Estevez, The screening will be FREE to the public (online registration required) and will feature a post-screening panel discussion about this important topic. The event will be on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at the historic Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. 

The panel of community leaders that will address local concerns and discuss possible remedies following the film screening includes Geoff Kors, Palm Springs City Council member and Homelessness Task Force member; Arlene Rosenthal of Well in the Desert; Officer Christopher Smart of the Palm Springs Police Department, and a representative of FIND Food Bank. The panel will be moderated by Jeannie Kays, Palm Springs Public Library Director.

The film “The Public” tells a timely tale as an unusually bitter Arctic blast has made its way to downtown Cincinnati and the front doors of the public library where the action of the film takes place. The story revolves around the library patrons, many of whom are homeless, mentally ill and marginalized, as well as an exhausted and overwhelmed staff of librarians who often act as "de-facto social workers" and care for those regular patrons.  At odds with library officials over how to handle the extreme weather event, the patrons turn the building into a homeless shelter for the night by staging an "Occupy" sit in.  What begins as an act of civil disobedience becomes a stand-off with police and a rush-to-judgment media constantly speculating about what's really happening inside the building.  The story tackles some of our nation's most challenging issues, including homelessness and mental illness, and sets the dramedy inside one of the last bastions of democracy-in-action: your public library.

There is no charge for this event but Friends members receive early seating access.  Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for Friends members who have registered online.  General Admission access is at 4:45 p.m. with the film starting promptly at 5:00 p.m.  Concessions available for purchase.

Camelot Theatres at Palm Springs Cultural Center

2300 E. Baristo Road

Palm Springs, CA 92262