Got plans for the weekend? If not, consider visiting your local theater to see the film, The Public. The drama follows a group of library patrons that are homeless. When faced with a brutal cold front and emergency shelters that are at full capacity, the group forms a “sit-in” at a public library in order to shelter themselves from the cold.
The drama is directed and written by Emilio Estevez (The Breakfast Club, The Mighty Ducks). It also features an excellent ensemble cast with Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone, Christian Slater, Gabrielle Union, Taylor Schilling, Jacob Vargas, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Jeffrey Wright. Take a look at the trailer below.
The scary scenario takes place in Cincinnati but it makes us think of the resources that we have in Baltimore. Enoch Pratt Free Library has 22 locations which all serve as Cooling and Warming Centers during Code Red and Code Blue weather days.
Also, we have the program Social Worker in the Library that’s in 7 locations. The partnership with the University of Maryland School of Social Work is a direct response to customer’s inquiries about housing insecurity, food insecurity, health concerns, help with government services, and more. For more information on Homeless Services in Maryland, Maryland Emergency Assistance and more, please visit here.
If you do go see The Public, please come back and let us know what you think in the comments. The film will be released today, April 5, in movie theaters throughout the area including The Charles Theatre.