Whitby Film Society

presents

"20th Century Women"

starring Annette Benning, Elle Fanning and Greta Gerwig

In 1979 Santa Barbara, Dorothea Fields is a determined single mother in her mid-50s who is raising her adolescent son,     Jamie, at a  moment brimming with cultural change and rebellion. Dorothea enlists the help of two younger women -Abbie, a free-spirited punk artist living as a boarder in the Fields' home and Julie, a savvy and provocative teenage neighbour - to help with Jamie's upbringing.

 But the 20th century is almost as important a character as the women. Director Mike Mills weaves together a tapestry of social, cultural and political strands. In part of the extensive voice-over, delivered predominantly by Dorothea and Jamie, the boy talks of his last memory of his absent father – a birthday in 1974 – which deftly links mid-70s fashion trends (mirrored sunglasses) with news events (President Gerald Ford’s historic tumble down the steps of Air Force One) and with vomit on a carpet.

Doors open: 19.15

Light refreshments available