Chatham Community Library, in conjunction with heart2heartnc is hosting a 3-part Living & Dying film series on Tuesday evenings in October beginning  on October 15, 2024. All films will be screened in the Holmes Family Meeting Room beginning at 5:00 pm.  These screenings are free and open to the public.

The Living & Dying film series showcases three thought-provoking films that delve into the themes of life, death, and the human experience. Each film explores the beauty and complexity of mortality, the celebration of life, and the acceptance of the inevitable.  

Films in the series include:

Tuesday, October 15:  Staring Down Fate (2017). An award winning documentary about searching for purpose in life and in mortality; about finding inspiration in the face of uncertainty. It is a story about 7.4 billion people and our relationship with nature, told through one person's life - Chris Lucash, a red wolf biologist diagnosed with ALS. Guest speakers: Cathy Brooksie Edwards and Cade Lukash.

Tuesday, October 22:  A Will for the Woods (2014). Determined that his last act will be a gift to the planet, musician and psychiatrist Clark Wang prepares for his own green burial. With poignancy and unexpected humor, A Will for the Woods portrays the last days of a multifaceted advocate – and one community's role in the genesis of a revolutionary movement. As the film follows Clark's dream of leaving a legacy in harmony with timeless cycles, environmentalism takes on a profound intimacy.  Guest speakers: Tami Schwerin and Janice Rieves.

Tuesday, October 29: The Last Ecstatic Days (2023). Ethan Sisser, a young man with terminal brain cancer, sits alone in his hospital room.  When he starts livestreaming his death journey on social media, thousands of people around the world join to celebrate his courage. Still, Ethan envisions more – to teach the world how to die without fear.  To do that, he needs to film his death. Guest speakers: Matt Zemon and Tayana Kholodkov.

After each screening, there will be time for insightful discussions and reflections on life, death, and everything in-between.

This film series is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library.

Residents may visit the libraries’ website www.chathamlibraries.org, or contact the library at (919) 545-8084 for more information on this and other events and programs.

 Members of the media interested in attending/covering this event are asked to notify Public Information Officer Kara Lusk in advance at 919-542-8258 or kara.lusk@chathamcountync.gov.