‘John Lewis: Good Trouble’ documentary to open July 3

Starting Friday, July 3, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater will present “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” a poignant documentary that chronicles the moments in a civil rights activist and U.S. representative’s life that have shaped his place in American history.

Directed by Dawn Porter, the film follows Georgia Democrat John Lewis’s life through interviews and rare archival footage. Porter's present-day interviews with Lewis, now 80 years old, cover his upbringing, his first ventures into more than 60 years of social activism, his legislative actions on key issues, and his relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The filmmakers also spoke with notable figures in the Democratic Party, such as House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, former Attorney General Eric Holder and Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, who died in October 2019. Younger members of Congress are also featured in the film.

"John Lewis: Good Trouble" takes its name from the congressman's favorite quotation: "Good trouble is necessary trouble."

Immediately following the feature, there will be a prerecorded discussion between Lewis and Oprah Winfrey, filmed in June of this year and being made available exclusively for virtual cinema and in-theater engagements of the film. This is a wide-ranging, informal, 16-minute conversation that’s a perfect follow-up to the documentary, and could not be more relevant.

Screening times are 4 and 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4; 3 p.m., Sunday, July 5; 2 p.m., Monday, July 6; and 4 and 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, July 8 and 9. Admission is $8 for members and $11 for nonmembers. Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets online. If seats are available, tickets can be purchased at the theater starting 30 minutes prior to each screening.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.rehobothfilm.com or call 302-645-9095.