By Susan Ciancio
Did you know that the movie The Blind Side has pro-life themes? What about Up? So many awesome movies teach respect for our fellow human beings, illustrate the value of others, and show how to care for the vulnerable. Watching a quality movie is a great way to spend a couple hours, but it’s a lot more fun with a group, as watching with others can help you see and understand themes you hadn’t previously noticed.
Because there are so many inspirational movies out there, and watching as a group affords many opportunities for impactful pro-life discussions, we want to share some tips to help you organize and then make the most of a movie night with your school or church group. Follow these guidelines for a fun and educational movie night!
1) Choose an impactful movie.
As you ponder which movie to show, think about your audience and their interests. Do they like something funny, something serious? Classic films? An animated movie? Choose one that will grab their attention and hold their interest or maybe something that they would have never thought about viewing. Make sure it’s on the streaming service you use or that you can find a copy on DVD.
2) Prescreen the movie.
Watch the movie alone first and take notes so you have talking points to bring up with your group. You don’t want everyone to sit in silence after the film because no one knows what to say. Create questions that will help everyone think about the pro-life themes in the film. Make sure to ask open-ended questions that will engender great discussions. We have nearly 30 free downloadable discussion guides for movies of all genres. All give a synopsis of the movie and include discussion questions that will help you lead conversations with your group.
3) Find a comfortable place to show the movie.
Ask for an open classroom at school or a room at your parish. Talk to your group leader and find a place that will fit everyone comfortably and where everyone will be happy to sit for a couple hours. Make sure it has a TV that is able to stream the movie or a DVD player if you have the disk.
4) Pick a night.
Choose a night when the most people will be able to come. This will probably be a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
5) Advertise!
Put up flyers. Send out group texts. Ask people who are not in your group to join you, as this may help you gain more members. Tell them this will be a great way to learn about your group. Advertising will also generate excitement. Make sure you plan far enough in advance (at least a week) so people can put the movie night on their calendar.
6) Offer delicious snacks!
Popcorn and candy go well with a movie. Make sure to provide some snacks to add to the fun.
7) Read the discussion questions aloud before you play the film.
Before you start the movie, read all of your discussion questions aloud to the group so they know what to look for as they watch. This will help specific scenes to stand out in their minds. You could even encourage members to take notes about things they want to discuss afterward.
8) Watch and discuss!
Make sure everyone is settled, comfortable, and quiet. Tell them it’s a no-phone zone so there are no distractions and so they can pay attention. Turn off the lights for a traditional movie experience, and watch the film together. Then set aside 20-30 minutes afterward to discuss. Use your notes and our discussion questions to guide you. Ask everyone’s opinion and make sure all members have a chance to talk. End by discussing how you can implement those pro-life values in your own life.
Pro-life movie nights can be an incredibly fun time, and they can help your group members grow closer as you all talk about important themes and share your thoughts. So explore our discussion guides, choose a film, and plan your event!