Reel and Meal at the New Deal

Reel and Meal is a monthly film series at the New Deal Cafe exploring vital environmental, animal rights, and social justice issues. Admission to the film is always free, sponsored by several Greenbelt community organizations. Contributions are gladly accepted to cover each month’s donation to a non-profit organization.

Reel and Meal events are in-person (limited seating) and online via Zoom.  Each month registration links will be posted here.  You can also reach out to Reel and Meal at

Date: Third Monday of every month
Time: The free film starts at 7pm.
Dinner: Dinners are available at the café after 4pm with several plant-based options.
Carryout: The Co-Op Supermarket Meatless Monday meals can be picked up from the “grab and go” for Zoom at-home viewing after 11am.
Location: Online or at the New Deal Cafe – 113 Centerway in historic Greenbelt, MD
Public transportation: The cafe is accessible by Metro Buses G12, 13, 14 and 16 from the Greenbelt Metro station.

October 19, 2020

The Definition of Insanity

On Monday, October 19, 2020, Reel and Meal will feature The Definition of Insanity. The film and discussion, facilitated by filmmaker Gabe London, will be streamed on Zoom. Registration is required. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/y6n3vkky

New this month, The Co-op Grocery (Roosevelt Center) is offering a vegan meal to Reel and Meal participants. A generous serving of Plant-based Lasagna from Dodah’s Kitchen and a side tossed salad for $7.99. Phone in your pre-order by 1:00 pm on Monday 10/19 for pick-up between 4-7pm at the deli. Call (301) 474-0522 and ask for the deli. Some may be available on a walk-in basis if not pre-ordered.

The Definition of Insanity tells the story of a jail diversion program for the mentally ill. This change in police, court and social service practice in Broward County, Florida (pre-pandemic) is far more supportive and helpful rather than punitive and suppressive.

Building on the story of Miami’s once-failed mental health system — a familiar national narrative of over-incarceration and brutal mistreatment — The Definition Of Insanity instead reveals a humane criminal justice approach to mental illness that is orchestrated from the court outwards into the community.

Discussion will follow the film and will be facilitated by the filmmaker Gabe London and local advocate Aileen Kroll. Beyond being a filmmaker, Gabe London is also a partner in the social-impact agency “Found Object”. He has directed campaigns on issues such as veterans’ health, clean energy and climate change. Aileen Kroll is a long time advocate for persons living with severe mental illness and their families as a social worker, legal advocate and legislative counsel. Her background includes being legal consultant for Santa Barbara County, CA, representing persons on involuntary psychiatric holds. She served on the Legislative & Policy Council for the Treatment Advocacy Center, a national non- profit organization working to promote access to mental health treatment for persons living with severe and untreated mental illness. She also drafted federal and local legislative campaigns including 22 consecutive statewide legislative campaigns.

For more about this film contact Frank Gervasi at . To contact the Reel and Meal organizers email .

Trailer