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.


August 16, 2021

A Thousand Cuts

Program via Zoom

Please register in advance for this Zoom screening at https://tinyurl.com/ReelnMealAug. Log on at 6:45pm, the program starts at 7pm.

The death by “A Thousand Cuts” refers to the death of democracy — a slow wounding that makes democracy too weak to survive.

Nowhere is the erosion of democracy, fueled by social media disinformation, more evident than in the authoritarian regime of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Director Ramona S. Diaz draws parallels between the rise of this Filipino strongman and that of Trump and other emergent autocrats.

Journalist Maria Ressa investigates Duterte’s war on drugs which has led to thousands of extrajudicial killings.

The film shows how fragile democracy can be, when a dictator threatens a free press and manipulates social media to spread disinformation.


Trailer