Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Directed by Morgan Neville

October 25, 2018
Joy Performance Center (Kings Mountain, NC)
7:00 pm (doors at 6:30 pm)

Fred Rogers transformed children’s television with Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister who believed that love was the pathway to personal growth and development. With his groundbreaking show, he provided a space for intimate and straightforward exchange. In his gentle discussions with young guests, listening became a revolutionary act; he acknowledged the fears, worries, and hardships of growing up. Through a cast of puppets, he also managed to broach topics like disability and race, offering families the tools to speak frankly about the world around them. Morgan Neville’s stunning film reveals the origins of the show, the ways it connected to current events, and its significant impact on the lives of children, and adults, across the country. Interviews with family, friends, and colleagues reveal that Rogers was indeed a visionary, but he was also human, and he faced his own share of shortcomings and self-doubt. In his life, Rogers contributed singular authentic exchange both on and off the air. 

http://www.focusfeatures.com/wont-you-be-my-neighbor/

Free RSVPs are now available and can be made via Eventbrite. RSVPs are recommended but are not required – screenings can reach capacity and RSVPs will prioritize admittance.

In partnership with Full Frame, the North Carolina Arts Council, and local arts organizations, the Common Ground project is a traveling program that facilitates free documentary screenings and discussions in small towns throughout North Carolina. More about Common Ground.