As part of its monthly series, Stratford Film Festival will present Meet The Barbarians for one showing only on Sept. 20.
Festival Director Megan Smith-Harris told MyStratfordNow she saw the film when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September of last year.
It is written and directed by Julie Delpy, an actor best known for her work on the Before trilogy with Ethan Hawke.
“Delpy actually wrote this film based on her summers in Brittany, and she wanted to frame a comedy that took on different forms of racism, from subtle bias to overt prejudice,” said Delpy.
“She also wanted to examine how Liberal values and postulations can begin to fray a little bit under scrutiny.”
While it’s a playful film, Smith-Harris said it’s also thought-provoking, adding it felt like a compelling fit for Stratford.
She said the characters are relatable to anyone who has lived in a small community or town.
“It starts as a well-meaning satire where you’re laughing at others, then soon you’re laughing at yourself, and soon you’re questioning what your biases are,” said Smith-Harris.
The film screening comes almost a decade after the Stratford Welcomes Refugees Program was launched in September 2015, where it focused on sponsoring newcomer families.
Smith-Harris said the program helped welcome seven Syrian families to Stratford. Six of the families still live here.
After the screening, there will be a panel discussion where a Syrian family member with lived experience from the program will talk about the film and what worked, what didn’t and how it could be better.
Tickets can be found on the Film Festival website, with the screening set at the City Hall auditorium.
