The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center will present two special film events this summer, each pairing a screening with a live conversation exploring storytelling, music and cultural change.
The first, on Monday, June 29, is a special screening of the acclaimed 2025 romantic drama “The History of Sound,” followed by a live conversation with author and screenwriter Ben Shattuck and Academy Award winner Chris Cooper. The film begins at 7 p.m., with the discussion to follow, and is presented in partnership with the Newport MFA at Salve Regina University.
Adapted by Shattuck from his short story, “The History of Sound” tells an intimate story of memory, music and connection. Starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, it follows Lionel and David, two young men who meet at the Boston Conservatory in 1917 and forge a connection through their shared love of folk music. Years later, a letter reunites them for a journey through the forests and backroads of Maine, where they record the songs and stories of everyday Americans against the shadow of World War I. The film also features performances from Cooper, Hadley Robinson and Emma Canning.
The second event, on Wednesday, July 1, is a screening of “The Airwaves Belonged to the People: WBCN and the American Revolution,” beginning at 6 p.m. and followed by a Q&A. The discussion will feature Executive Producer Rob Sennott, former WBCN staff members Sam Kopper and Debbie Ullman, and musician James Montgomery, moderated by Hey Rhody editor and DJ Ken Abrams.
Directed by Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Bill Lichtenstein, the documentary tells the story of how a Boston rock radio station helped ignite a cultural and political revolution, becoming a platform for dissent, activism and artistic freedom. The film chronicles WBCN’s influence on the anti-war movement, civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights and the rise of countercultural journalism, featuring rare archival material and historic performances from Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Jane Fonda, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Garcia, David Bowie and Lou Reed.
Tickets and event information are available at janepickens.com.
