By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Jan.14, 2012.
When old man winter comes, and darkness falls at 4 p.m., what can you do besides watching TV alone at home?
You can join a growing group in Squamish that gets together to watch—and then fervently discuss—documentaries once every month.
Members revolve hosting duty for documentary nights, and everyone is welcome to pitch a documentary.
For the past two years, people have graciously opened their homes to welcome friends and strangers to watch documentaries on a wide variety of subjects, from sports to adventure, to politics and food.
On Thursday, Jan. 12, about ten people got together at the home of Moe and Anka Raskin Hutchison for a viewing of Fork over Knives, a documentary that makes a case for a plant based diet.
As they waited for people to turn up, Anka Raskin Hutchison and Amy Remark talked about how the group came to be.
It all began with an informal book club both had started a few years ago when they were roommates. But when the interest in the book club waned, they decided instead to start a documentary night club.
As word spread and more people started joining, both decided to open it to the community. A Facebook page now serves as a notice board for new documentaries.
Anyone can offer to host documentaries, just like a recent Facebook posting by Michael Issacs.
“Hey everyone, for anyone interested I will show Inside Job next Tuesday November 8th, 7:00pm at my house.”
This is what Hutchison and Remark had hoped would happen.
“Watching a documentary at someone’s house is more intimate,” Hutchison said, as people behind her chattered and munched on nachos and carrots.
Both routinely welcome people they hardly even know to their homes.
“This is about knowing who my neighbours are, it’s about knowing who the people in my community are,” Hutchison said.
Paige McIvor first heard about the documentary night from her friends, who invited her to watch Thrive, a documentary that Ross Taylor suggested to the group.
“It’s comfortable and cozy here and you meet new people…It’s like a party, but without booze,” McIvor said.
The host for the evening, Moe Hutchison, said the winter helps documentary nights group.
“When the sun goes down, this is a great way to be entertained and meet some new people,” he said.
So, if you are looking to watch a documentary followed by thought-provoking discussions, log on to the Facebook page, or email Moe Hutchison at moe_hutcison@hotmail.com.
As someone remarked on Facebook, think of it as watching movies with way better food.
