Jung & Film Online | August: Osage County

The oppressive heat and claustrophobic homestead in August: Osage County set the scene for an unflinching examination of the damage caused by family dysfunction, as well as the energy, insight, and determination required to escape it into a relatively functional personal world. Based on playwright Tracy Letts’s personal experience, the film is adapted from his 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, while John Wells directs.

In Osage County Oklahoma, the Weston clan gathers for the funeral of its patriarch, Beverly (Sam Shepard). It is immediately obvious why this family has not been together for many years. The many shadowy issues lurking just below the surface of the awkward interactions almost immediately begin to burst forth.

Framed mostly by the conflictual relationship between Beverly’s widow Violet (Meryl Streep) and her oldest daughter Barbara (Julia Roberts), “August: Osage County” deftly treats themes of transgenerational trauma and self-loathing, the deleterious effects of family secrets, how addiction cripples a personality, and how shame and shaming poison the human spirit. While not for the faint-hearted, this film rewards the viewer with greater understanding of the inner struggles often carried by our fellow humans.

Online Participation Format

We will be screening the film online on the evening.

Cost

The fee for the film evenings is R150. Please make payment through our convenient online booking facility below – booking closes at 14:00 on Friday, 12 August. The Zoom link will be distributed at 14:30 on the day of the event.

Library

Everyone is invited to visit our website, where you can access our library online. In addition, the library is open Tuesdays 10h00-14h00 and Thursdays 14h00-19h00, with all Covid-19 protocols in place. For more information on this, contact Debra at saajalibrary@outlook.com

We hope to see you on Zoom, and look forward to continuing our stimulating film discussions.