Movies & Discussions

Importante: O grupo é ativo e o encontro acontece toda segunda (geralmente tem pelo menos 10 participantes, mesmo que não apareçam aqui no aplicativo). A gente se organiza mais por um grupo de WhatsApp do que pelo MeetUp. Entre em contato com Timur para ser adicionada/o ao grupo de WhatsApp. Hallo Leute / Oi, pessoal! Hallo an alle! Montag machen wir einen Sprachaustausch Portugiesisch-Deutsch. Wir treffen uns um 19:00 Uhr im Yorkschlösschen. Es ist egal, ob du bereits gut Portugiesisch sprichst oder erst dabei bist, die Sprache zu lernen, lass uns gemeinsam üben! Wir sehen uns dort :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Temos um evento bacaninha para quem quer praticar alemão e/ou português em Berlin. Vamos nos encontrar às 19:00h no Yorkschlösschen. Não importa se você já fala bem alemão ou se tá só aprendendo, vamos praticar!

**When the world seems so divided and every idiot has an opinion, it’s time to Mass Debate.** Drop your debate topic in the hat and watch comedians debate head to head on whichever topic they pull out. No preparation, fully improvised comedy debating, winners decided by audience vote. Want to have a go yourself? Drop your name in the bucket for your chance to debate another audience member or comedian on a random topic. Together we tackle the big questions: Wet or dry? Young or old? Beatles or Stones? **Doors 8:15pm** **Show 8:30 - 10pm (no break)** Show is entirely in English **FREE ENTRY - *A donation is expected at the end of the show between 7 to 15€ depending on your life situation.*** **Secure your seat by making a reservation [https://massdebateberlin.eventbrite.de/](https://massdebateberlin.eventbrite.de/) for 10€ and that’s your donation prepaid** **Usually hosting and debating:** Anna Beros (AUS) Anna’s a Kiwi born, Melbourne raised, Berlin based full-time independent standup comedian, YouTube host, podcaster and producer. She celebrates life’s struggles with cheeky incisive standup and playful audience interaction. Her new stand-up solo, ‘The Devil in Miss Beros’ premiers at the Edinburgh Fringe 2026, returning with her 3rd stand-up solo, ‘High Hoe’ which enjoyed a successful full run at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025, as did her previous solos, ‘Creampie Curious’ and ‘Creampie Clarity’ across numerous festivals through the UK and Australia 2023 – 2024. She has written for Comedy Central DE, tours Europe and produces and hosts 5 weekly shows in Berlin. In 2025, she opened for Jeff Arcuri at Admiralspalast, in 2024 for April Macie on US army bases in Germany and for Ian Fidance in Berlin in 2019. She hosts the comedy channel, Ersties Nonsense and has the podcast Adults ONLY Comedy Berlin. "Beros is a full-time standup and her hours on stage are evident in her skill at taking the temperature of the audience and bringing them along with her as she veers into darker material." – The Age, Melbourne Australia Check out her [https://www.instagram.com/afberos/](https://www.instagram.com/afberos/) **LINEUP** updated on IG stories @adultsonlycomedyberlin [https://www.instagram.com/adultsonlycomedyberlin/](https://www.instagram.com/adultsonlycomedyberlin/) GUEST COMEDIANS: Local and touring comedians with solid years in the game or hard-working promising new blood **SUESS WAR GESTERN** Wühlischstr 43 10245 Berlin IG @suess.wargestern [https://www.instagram.com/suess.wargestern/](https://www.instagram.com/suess.wargestern/) Beloved iconic local nightclub hosting comedy shows every night – only in English on Mondays. Grab drinks from the bar and head through to the back back back room for the comedy show. Mondays often hosts open decks so stick around for the sick beats.

## Wo & Wann? **JEDEN MONTAG** findet die offene Lesebühne des Autorenforums Berlin statt (außer an Feiertagen) **BEGINN**: 20:00 Uhr **ANMELDUNG zum Lesen: ab 19:30 Uhr** beim Moderator des Abends – siehe [Termine](http://autorenforum-berlin.de/wordpress/termine/); Die Teilnahme an der Veranstaltung ist kostenlos. **SCHWARTZSCHE VILLA** **Großer Salon** Direkt am S/U Rathaus Steglitz Grunewaldstr. 55 Der offene Leseabend stellt das Herzstück des Autorenforums e.V. dar. Er steht nicht nur Mitgliedern, sondern grundsätzlich jedem Autor und jeder Autorin offen, der gerne einen unveröffentlichten Text vor Publikum präsentieren möchte. Auch Kritik kann jedermann üben. Wer lieber zuhören möchte, kann einfach am Montagabend um 20.00 in der Schwartzschen Villa erscheinen. Für Lesewillige gilt die unten stehende ausführliche Information (mündliche Anmeldung ab 19:30 Uhr). *Unfortunately at the moment, it's only possible to present German texts. Unpublished texts that are already translated into German are highly welcome!* ## Was erwartet Sie? Im Großen Salon der Schwartzsche Villa treffen Sie auf einen Kreis von Literaturbegeisterten, die Ihrem Text eine ernsthafte und fundierte Kritik spenden. Das Publikum wechselt. Es ist gemischt, geeint durch das Interesse an Texten. Die Autorinnen und Autoren des Abends lesen aus ihren bislang unveröffentlichten Kurzgeschichten, lyrischen Texten, Erzählungen, Romanen, manchmal auch aus Theaterstücken. Die Autoren stellen nicht sich selbst, sondern ihre Texte der Kritik. Wir verstehen uns als Arbeitsbühne. Deshalb wird bei uns nach den Lesungen nicht geklatscht. Die Texte werden nach der Lesung des Autors auf handwerkliche Stärken und Schwächen „abgeklopft“. Es geht im Forum daher nicht um weltanschauliche Debatten. Im Idealfall hat der Autor/die Autorin nach einer Lesung und der Kritik verstanden, wo die Stärken und Schwächen seines Textes liegen, woran es seinem Text noch fehlt, was er ändern sollte und wo er bei seiner Überarbeitung ansetzen kann. Der Abend endet gegen 22.00. Im Anschluss können Sie mit den Autoren im Café der Schwartzschen Villa noch ins Gespräch kommen und manches aus dem Literaturbetrieb erfahren. Wir sind im Kontakt auch mit namhaften Vertretern desselben. Also – nicht gleich verschwinden! Dranbleiben. Reden Sie mit den Forumianern! ## Sie möchten selbst lesen? Wenn Sie selbst im Autorenforum lesen wollen, gibt es einige Dinge zu beachten. Wir bitten Sie sehr herzlich, sich mindestens einmal vor Ihrer ersten Lesung bei uns mit unseren Gegebenheiten vertraut zu machen. Ihren Lesewunsch können Sie dann ab 19.30 Uhr (Einlass) bei der Moderatorin oder dem Moderator eines Leseabends anmelden. **Wir weisen ausdrücklich daraufhin, dass über die Annahme und Reihenfolge der Lesungen die jeweiligen Moderatoren entscheiden und es NICHT zwingend nach der Reihenfolge der Anmeldungen geht!** In der Regel reicht die Zeit nur für drei Autoren je Abend und die Nachfrage ist oft recht hoch. Falls Sie einen lyrischen Text vortragen möchten, bringen Sie bitte mindestens 10 (zehn) Kopien mit, damit Ihr Publikum mitlesen kann. Die Kopien erhalten Sie selbstverständlich zurück. # Wie üben wir Textkritik? Nach der Idee von Maik Turni ## **Anschleichen** **Wie wirkt der Text auf mich?** (Keine Angst vor Adjektiven! ) **Was habe ich gehört?** (Zusammenfassung (Nacherzählung)) **Was blieb unverstanden** (akustisch oder logisch) ## **Unter der Lupe** **Was ist das für ein Text?** (Prosa: Genre? Lyrik: Welche Art lyrischer Text?) **Thema** (Welches Thema berührt der Text? Hat der Autor sein Thema im Griff? Ist es überzeugend/plausibel/gut recherchiert, vielleicht sogar zu faktenreich?) **Figuren** (Wie wirken die Figuren? Wer ist die Hauptfigur? Welches Problem hat die Hauptfigur?) **Perspektive** (Wie verhält sich die Erzählperspektive zum Thema / zu den Figuren?) **Sprache** (Welche Bilder sind stimmig / welche nicht? Was lässt sich zum Rhythmus sagen? Sind die Sätze syntaktisch und grammatikalisch korrekt?) **Dramaturgie** (Schafft der Text es, Spannung zu erzeugen? In welcher Reihenfolge werden die Dinge erzählt?) **Bedeutung** (Gelingt es dem Autor, die Bedeutung, die er seinem Text geben will, auch im Leser entstehen zu lassen?) ## **Klarspüler** Fragen werden an den Text gestellt, nicht an den Autor! Daher sollte der Text antworten. ## **Weichspüler** Wird bei uns nicht verwendet. Aber es gilt: Nicht der Autor wird kritisiert, sondern der Text! Hart zum Text, sanft zum Autor!

Andere drücken die Schulbank, wir aber wollen in gemütlicher (und realer) Atmosphäre wieder aufeinandertreffen und einen Deutsch-Spanisch-Tandemkurs aufleben lassen. Beim einfachen Zusammenkommen und kennenlernen lässt es sich schließlich viel effektiver lernen. und Spaß haben. ...

**📢 WICHTIG** 📢 Diesmal treffen wir uns in einem neuen Ort: KALLE HALLE Markthalle in Neukölln. Wir werden an den langen Tischen in der Mitte des Saales sitzen. Wir bitten euch um eure Mithilfe, indem ihr ein Getränk oder ein Gericht bei den Restaurants bestellt. Vielen Dank.

Looking for a fun, energizing way to move your body and meet new people? Join us for a Silent Disco Hip Hop Dance Workout a unique experience that combines music, movement, and connection 🎧💃 ✨ What to expect: • Fun icebreaker games to get to know each other • A full-body Hip Hop dance workout (beginner-friendly) • Learn cool dance move with silent disco experience • Spark Connections over a fun time We’ll kick things off with fun, easy icebreaker games to get to know each other. Then enjoy a 1-hour guided silent disco dance workout (with your own Bluetooth headphones) with dance music and simple moves. No experience needed! Come solo or with a friend, you’ll leave feeling energized, uplifted, and connected 💫 👉 Join the WhatsApp group to connect before the event: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GaUmXBIg1oy4BtYgxuxEsu?mode=gi_t 📸 Check our vibes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkevents_510

### Ready to move, sweat, and feel unstoppable? This weekly beginner-friendly class blends high-energy **Dance Fitness** with the vibrant spirit of **Bollywood Hip Hop**. Expect powerful beats, expressive moves, and choreography that makes You feel confident from the very first session. ‍ We combine: * Easy-to-follow dance fitness sequences * Bollywood-inspired arm work and expressions * Hip Hop grooves and attitude * Cardio training that feels like a party ‍ No previous experience needed. Just bring Your energy and an open mindset. ‍ This class is about: * Building confidence * Improving coordination * Boosting stamina * Connecting with music * Having fun in a supportive community Perfect for beginners who want to start dancing without pressure — but with full power. ...for more info check out www.dna-artclub.com / follow us on IG: @nightart.club See You soon :) Love. DNA. *** \*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR. \*\*By entering the DNA. ART HOUSE, You agree to comply with the Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. and Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance.

Yes it’s free. But please come only if you are ready. The 22-Strand DNA Activation Used For 3,000 Years To Awaken Human Potential For the first time a high level Initiate reveals the 3.034 year old method to awaken human potential.. this method is available to the public since 1997 and starts reaching the masses now! Humanity is ready! Before that date people like Da Vinci, Tesla, Michelangelo, Pythagoras, Goethe, Beethoven and many more received the private opportunity to study these secrets. There is a moment in every seeker's life when reading stops being enough. You've done the books. The podcasts. The meditation apps. The therapy. Maybe even plant medicine, breathwork, yoga teacher trainings, retreats in distant countries. And still — somewhere quiet inside you — that voice keeps whispering: "There has to be more." There is. For 3,000 years, an unbroken lineage of teachers — traceable back to King Salomon the Wise — has guarded a precise energetic transmission known as the Life Activation. A 22-strand DNA activation that awakens dormant aspects of your divine blueprint. The same activation that has changed the lives of thousands of people across more than 50 countries. On Thursday, in the heart of Berlin, I'm opening the doors for a free 2-hour evening to share what this path is — and what it has done for me. --- What You'll Discover — What the Life Activation actually is (and why every Mystery School student receives it first) — The lineage behind it — King Salomon, 3,000 years, 7 Mystery Schools worldwide — How it works with your chakras, magnetic energy, etheric body, and elemental forces — What people consistently report afterwards: clarity, vitality, release of inherited patterns, deep peace — Why it bypasses the mind entirely — no belief required, no understanding needed — Where this path can take you — Sacred Geometry, Kabbalah, Initiation, Healers Academy — Live Q&A — ask anything --- Who This Is For You belong in this room if you: → Feel stuck despite trying everything — therapy, self-help, coaching, retreats → Sense that there is more to life but cannot quite reach it → Are walking through a major transition — career, relationship, identity, crisis → Want to begin a real spiritual path — not just read about one → Feel drawn to ancient wisdom and lineage-based traditions → Are ready for change. Real change. Not more information. You also belong here if you have zero spiritual background. You don't need to believe in anything. You just need to show up. --- What This Is Not Not a sales pitch dressed as a talk. Not a "manifestation" workshop. Not therapy. Not channeling. Not New Age improvisation. This is ancient lineage work — the same teachings, transmitted the same way, for three millennia. --- Your Host I'm Paul Schulz — Ritual Master in the King Salomon Lineage of the Modern Mystery School, based in Berlin, teaching in English across Europe. I received my own Life Activation in this city, and it changed everything. Now I share this work with seekers ready for the next step. --- The Details 📍 Berlin — see above 🗓 every second Thursday 💶 FREE (limited seats — registration required) 🎙 Language: English 🎁 Bonus: open Q&A --- Reserve Your Seat The question is not whether you have time. The question is whether you can afford to keep living the way you have been living.

Curious what we do? Check our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/filmmakersandmovienerds/) ♥️ Would you like to meet some like-minded filmmakers? Start a project? Or do you need help with a movie you are currently working on? Are you new in the city and you'd like to meet people tinkering with movies? **Then you should join us!** We meet every Sunday. It’s important to us that we get to know each other in person. To create a community of connected people, work, learn and grow together. For film making you need a crew of reliable people with a positive can-do-attitude. This is the place to find them. Together, we will talk about these topics: * What you are currently working on * What you need help with * What would you like to help with * What you you would like to learn This is event is great for: * filmmakers * movie nerds * writers * camera operators * editors * actors * sound recorders * composers * gaffers * producers We are limiting the amount of people, so we can have a structured introduction and discussion. After that we get together loosely with some drinks and chats. And then we mostly go for dinner with a couple of us. **Important information**: *To sustain and grow this amazing community, we started a member contribution that is due every month. The money we collect is used solely for the purpose of the community. Of course you can come once or twice without contributing to check us out!*

Salut les amis, Nous vous invitons pour notre prochaine discussion **le mercredi à 19h00**, **au Dussmann KulturCafé**, au 2e étage de Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus Berlin, Friedrichstraße 90, 10117 Berlin. Nous espérons voir de nombreux nouveaux visages et avoir une discussion animée et inspirante ! ✨ **Au programme ?** Des échanges captivants sur des sujets de **philosophie** et de **société** qui nous intriguent et nous passionnent. Une belle occasion de partager nos idées, découvrir d’autres points de vue et apprendre ensemble dans une ambiance conviviale. **Niveau de français** : Idéalement, il vous permet de participer à une discussion intellectuelle sans trop de difficultés ! **Lieu** : Friedrichstraße 90, 10117 Berlin Si possible, nous vous demandons une petite contribution de 2 euros afin de couvrir les frais de Meetup. À bientôt! 😊

For those about to write -- let them come to Berlin! Think of us as a writers' room on the Iron Curtain. We help you turn ideas into Beat Sheets, and Beat Sheets into Scripts. Whatever your level -- we help you to raise your game. We also do a lot of table reads. And provide constructive feedback. And talk about books and films and shows we love -- and draw inspiration for our own projects from them. We workshop works-in-progress. We give you the tools -- you find your flow. Broadly speaking, we have ways to make you write!

Der politische Diskurs ist für alle diejenigen, die politische und gesellschaftliche Themen verfolgen und sich gerne darüber austauschen wollen. Wir alle wissen, dass der Vorteil einer Demokratie gegenüber autoritären Systemen darin besteht, dass Meinungen geäußert und Kritik geübt werden kann - so let's do this! Jedesmal steht ein neues, eher generelles Thema im Zentrum, über das wir uns respektvoll austauschen wollen. Im kommenden Abend geht es um die Fördermittelaffaire der Berliner CDU. Da es sich um ein komplexeres Thema handelt, werde ich ich die Thematik über eine Präsentation aufbereiten, so dass wir alle auf dem selben Wissensstand sind. Anschließend Diskussion mit Getränken und Snacks. Interessante Informationsquellen für: [Nationale_Politik](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/podcast-106.html), [News_aus_Wirtschaft](https://open.spotify.com/show/0MqROiCw2Vl0aVqxWdPjRC?si=dioN4162TqytZm210rXpYw), [Internationale_Nachrichten](https://ground.news/) **WhatsApp Gruppenchat**: Regt dich ein Politiker / eine Argumentationslinie auf? Hast du einen Podcast gehört, den du unbedingt teilen und mit anderen besprechen willst? Möchtest du aktiv bei der Themenwahl unserer Diskussionsabende teilnehmen? Es gibt eine Whatsappgruppe. Sprich mich gerne auf einem Event an, dann füge ich dich hinzu. Wir freuen uns auf deine Ansichten! Foto: Maurizio Gambarini / Rotary International / IMAGO

The next Pitch and Planning Session will be on: [🕰️](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t85/2/16/1f570.png) **Tue. June 2nd at 19:00** [📍](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tcc/2/16/1f4cd.png)**House of Music** **RAW Gelande** **Revalerstr 99,** **10245 Berlin** The event is on the ground floor, by the bar. This is a very large and amazing space that we are now calling home. We are super looking forward to hearing your pitches and watching you meet people ready to help you make your films a reality in the really real world! Please note that this is a free event. In order to support the work we do, our community, and the lovely space that is gracious enough to let us hold events there, all we ask is that that you have 2 drinks of some kind or at least some snacks. That would help us out a lot! [🍸](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb/2/16/1f378.png) For those who are new, our Pitch and Planning Session is a monthly English language event held here in Berlin for people who have an idea for a film and would like to pitch it, as well as those people who are eager to work on films. It's all about getting films made. If you have a film idea that is burning a hole in your brain, tell the people in the audience your story idea and hopefully you will meet people who can help you make your idea into a reality! This event is also for people who want to help out in all aspects of filmmaking to help make these pitches happen. So if your passion is camera, sound, hair and makeup, writing, lighting, fighting, or anything that could help, you are always welcome. Whether you're new to filmmaking or experienced and want to work on something cool and creative, no matter what your area of expertise/interest is, this is for you! Be sure to show up to either pitch your idea or be ready to listen to some interesting pitches from excited people and potentially help someone make their film. Let's make some cool shit! If you still want more information you can head on over to our website: https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/pitch-planning.php I have been a part of making some of these pitched projects into real world movies and I have always had a blast.

**For the next few months, we'll be at Prater Garten to enjoy the outside weather!** Join us at Prater Garten in Prenzlauer Berg on the first Wednesday of every month for a fun, casual evening of socializing with other Berlin screenwriters. No agenda. Just drinks and good conversation. It's an informal event so just show up and meet some great people! Anyone in the film industry is welcome to join us! Our Happy Hour is the first Wednesday of every month starting at 7:30pm and going until ??? Be sure to look for our sign on one of the tables. You can join our Telegram channel where we post updates: [https://t.me/berlinscreenwriters](https://t.me/berlinscreenwriters?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExdVJDY0hmVHFjM1dBOHVsZnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4F4u3E23YJGqdnvywhGxCw8ZWmFOxSW-1THms7Hu1Yr4FSe1qC7xYtpYxpcA_aem_FHfKo9LvjlWc8jHQkyGSCA) See you there!

Join Guest Host Jeff and the group as we get together to see the historical drama, PRESSURE! Brendan Frasier, Andrew Scott and Kerry Condon star in this film about the tense and dramatic days leading up to the D-Day invasion! Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Captain James Stagg n the tense 72 hours before D-Day. With the fate of the free world in the balance, they face an impossible choice: launch the largest and most dangerous seaborne invasion in history or risk losing the war altogether. It is directed by Anthony Maras and based on David Haig’s 2014 stage play. The film stars Brendan Fraser, Andrew Scott, Kerry Condon, Chris Messina and Damian Lewis. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcPgrKoXe_c PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the bar area about 30 minutes before showtime! Once showtime is announced, please purchase your ticket in advance and list your seat number in the Comments section of this event! Exact showtime and complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer! Look forward to seeing you there, Jeff P.S. from Dan: THANK YOU to Jeff for hosting this event!

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving." The film continues John Carney’s “long run of success with yet another charmer” and “a sharp, hopeful crowd-pleaser that strikes the right notes!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus, this is a perfect early stop on our Summer of Ice Cream! Their menu uses made-from-scratch recipes in an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, crepes, waffle sticks, specialty coffee & espresso, and more! Their specialty shakes are as delicious as they are over-the-top and they offer an extensive vegan menu! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 6:45pm showing and we’ll meet in the upstairs lobby between 6:25 and 6:35pm! Advance ticket purchase is advised for this opening night showing! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan

Join us as we get together for a Discount Tuesday / Horror-Thriller Pop-Up event to see the very buzzed-about psychological-horror from A24, BACKROOMS! Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass star in this film about a therapist, a missing patient and a strange doorway. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: After a therapist's patient disappears into a dimension beyond reality, she must venture into the unknown to save him. The film is directed by Kane Parsons and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve (who was outstanding in The Worst Person in the World and Sentimental Value), Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell. TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z6a6NUFlsU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z6a6NUFlsU) BUZZ & EXCITEMENT: Buzz and expectations are off the charts! And over the past week, box office projections have more than doubled as theaters are left scrambling to add showtimes for a film that keeps selling out! Critics call the film “gripping,” “as mesmerizing as it is terrifying” and say it “casts a surrealist spell that’s unlike anything else in contemporary cinema!” It’s an “intellectual puzzle” filled with “unnerving suspense” that’s earning a Certified Fresh 89% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes! PLAN: Purchase your ticket for the 6:30pm showing and meet in the theater lobby between 6:10 and 6:20pm! Discount Tuesday tickets just $5.00! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments below! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

In the year 2044, in the age of AI, a woman named Gabrielle (Seydoux) tries to purify her DNA by purging the inherited memories of her past lives. She (re)lives her life in 1910 Paris and 2014 Los Angeles, and as the procedure goes on, the lines between her worlds become blurred. These three timelines have a lot of connective tissue holding them together; certain symbols and motifs appear repeatedly, not to mention Mackay’s Louis, a figure whom Gabrielle seems drawn to in each lifetime. *The Beast / La Bête* can be streamed for free on Kanopy or the Criterion Channel. It's also available for rent on Amazon Prime, AppleTV and YouTube.

I have been studying the question of "self" online with Prof. Ellie Anderson and so I thought a prompt on the "self" might be interesting. Full confession: I had Claude create this prompt and I like it, so here goes: Imagine a thought experiment that merges two classic puzzles: > You undergo a procedure, performed neuron by neuron, in which every biological component of your brain is replaced with a functionally identical synthetic substitute. At each step, your behavior, memories, and personality remain unchanged. When the last neuron is swapped, is the consciousness experiencing the world still you? And — more pressingly — was there ever a continuous "you" to begin with? ### Questions to Wrestle With * If consciousness is purely physical, does the *gradual* nature of the replacement matter, or is it equivalent to being destroyed and rebuilt? * Could there be a "self" without continuity of experience — even moment to moment, while you sleep? On a more practical level, consider the simpler case first: **hemispherectomy** patients — people who have had an entire cerebral hemisphere surgically removed — often retain a strong sense of personal identity and continuity. This suggests "you" are not rigidly tied to specific physical material. But does that vindicate the synthetic neuron case, or merely show that identity is more *flexible* than we thought — not that it can survive *complete* substrate replacement? I used Claude so I could get this out today and let everyone have some time to consider it. Hope to see you at the Oracle. Sorry about the location change two weeks ago. That's what I get for trusting local weather predictions!

Let’s meet and share discussion of the James Baldwin short story collection, Going to Meet The Man.