OSC Presents Documentary Film Series: Holding Up the Sky

Old South Church in Boston Presents Documentary Film Series: Holding Up the Sky

BOSTON, MA — Beginning Sunday, January 12, Old South Church in Boston invites the public to a five-week forum series engaging with the powerful documentary film Holding Up the Sky. The series will take place at the church at 10:00 AM each Sunday and will offer in-person viewing and discussion opportunities, including time with the film’s director Bob Nesson.

This 55-minute documentary tells the remarkable stories of Ed Jordan and Jimmy Costello, two formerly incarcerated men who, despite contrasting social and family backgrounds and the difficult circumstances of their crimes, found purpose, hope, and success through mentorship and persistence. The film highlights their intertwined journeys through and beyond the prison system, shedding light on issues of social justice and reforms needed in our criminal justice system.

About the Film:
Holding Up the Sky focuses on the systemic challenges of incarceration and the transformational power of mentorship and education. The film’s broader mission is to spark awareness and inspire meaningful action, such as policy changes, increased support systems, and job creation for formerly incarcerated individuals.

While in development, the documentary has been screened at fundraisers at influential venues, including the Massachusetts State House, Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life, and others. The film is supported by key local and national organizations and individuals, such as the LDB Peace Institute in Dorchester, Haley House, and Truth & Reconciliation Conversations (https://trconversations.com) based in Florida. Its founder and chair is activist Kahlil Osiris, who mentored one of the film's subjects while both were in prison.

Forum Details:
The five-week series is designed to educate, inspire, and catalyze meaningful conversation and action. The film will be screened in three sections, all followed by a two-part exploratory discussion.

• Jan. 12: Introduction & Part 1 of the Documentary Film,
• Jan. 19: Part 2 of the Documentary Film
• Jan. 26: Part 3 of the Documentary Film
• Feb. 2: Discussion Session 1- Exploring the broken systems exposed by the film
• Feb. 9: Discussion Session 2 - Exploring how Old South Church can deepen its justice work

Each session will provide additional educational materials, including but not limited to context, statistics, and reflection prompts. Discussions will focus on systemic issues impacting our community, such as racism, neurodiversity in the prison system, and the generational impacts of trauma. Participants will also consider ways to take action, both as individuals and as a community.

For more information, contact Kate Nintcheu at kate@oldsouth.org. If you would like to screen the movie at home (only available to the Old South community) please reach out to Kate, who will share the links with you.