JUST MERCY
Deeply compelling and timely, Just Mercy chronicles the work of lawyer and activist Bryan Stevenson to save the lives of dozens of innocent prisoners on death row and the case that ignited his career.
Director Destin Daniel Cretton (Short Term 12, I Am Not a Hipster) applies his signature delicate touch to the powerful story of Stevenson, a tireless crusader for justice and equality in the Alabama prison system. After graduate from Harvard Law School, Stevenson moves back to the South to advocate for wrongfully convicted death row inmates without proper legal representation. Assisted by local activist Eva Ansley (Brie Larson), he founds the Equal Justice Initiative, which guarantees the defense of anyone in Alabama in a death penalty case. One of the first and most incendiary cases is that of Walter McMillian (portrayed here in a powerhouse performance by Jamie Foxx), a man who was sentenced to death for murdering an 18-year-old girl in 1987. Bryan, along with his ever-growing team of activists, spends years tangled up in the confounding labyrinth of local politics and a legal system steeped in systemic racism in the face of threats from a community so hungry for vengeance that they are too blind to see innocence. Every ounce of Bryan’s effort is put to the test as he struggles to keep himself together and fight for inmates who have lost all hope. Featuring propulsive performance from an all-star cast including Michael B. Jordan as Stevenson alongside Larson, Foxx, and the evergreen Tim Blake Nelson, Just Mercy is an inspiring, urgent story of one man’s unwavering fight for equality and justice. A story that demands to be told, Stevenson’s is a tale of our times and the challenges we still race in our judicial system.
CAST: MICHAEL B. JORDAN, JAMIE FOXX, BRIE LARSON, ROB MORGAN
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
The Filter Club
24 S 24th St
11:00PM – 2:00AM
After the Opening Night Gala screening, join us at the Fitler Club to kick off a truly remarkable Film Festival! Share your PFF lineup with friends, grab a sweet treat, and raise a glass to the 28th Philadelphia Film Festival. The Opening Night Party will feature a luxurious dessert bar and complimentary drinks. 21+ only.
We advise taking taxis or rideshares to the party; parking may be difficult.
ABOUT THE FITLER CLUB:
Fitler Club is a game-changing “work/stay/play” hub for a new generation of achievers. Opening the door in 2019 in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, Fitler Club boasts a stunning 14-room hotel, unparalleled gym and spa, 34,000 square feet of workspace and private office suites, and refined yet relaxed culinary and event venues — all under one roof. But the Community here is what creates the buzz. This next-level club reflects a new generation of urban sophisticates. They don’t separate social life, work, and wellness. They’re well-traveled, with exceptionally high standards. And they want to spend time with a like-minded community of other fearlessly creative people. Fitler Club is an evolutionary concept, and it says a lot about how cities like Philadelphia have evolved. Our members are the leaders, innovators, and influencers creating that change.
All sales are final. Admission is not guaranteed after scheduled start time.
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