Michael Roemer's DYING (1976) - West Coast premiere of new 4K restoration
Perhaps Roemer's most profound work, this extraordinary documentary—originally broadcast on public television—features three verité portraits of people at the end of life.
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Feb 20, 2025, 8:00 PM
2220 Arts + Archives, 2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA
Dying
directed by Michael Roemer
1976, U.S., 80m, DCP
West Coast premiere of a new 4K restoration
doors/bar: 7:30
film: 8:00
We are thrilled to premiere a new restoration of this extraordinary documentary from the great American independent filmmaker Michael Roemer (THE PLOT AGAINST HARRY, NOTHING BUT A MAN). Across genres and regional communities in America, Michael Roemer proved himself an incisive observer of the human condition, and perhaps his most profound work is DYING, the filmmaker’s lone project to receive near-universal critical acclaim when it was released. Originally broadcast on public television, Roemer presents three verité portraits of people at the end of life: Sally, 46, bonds with her elderly mother as they take things day to day; Bill, in his early 30s, stoically goes on while his wife loses herself in rage; the grandfatherly Reverend Bryant preaches a final sermon, then goes back South one last time. Reportedly completed after interviewing 40 terminal patients over two years, Roemer’s film is an utterly distilled, unadorned portrait of the joy and anguish of living.
“The most distinguished documentary of the year.” -Time Magazine
"This masterful documentary confronts the taboo of death with honesty, compassion, and even joy." -Yale Film Archive
“Inexpressibly moving.” -The Manchester Guardian
Special thanks to Jake Perlin (The Film Desk).