Multicultural Resource Center to screen documentary ‘Five Friends’

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) will host a free, public screening and discussion of the documentary “Five Friends” at 5 p.m., Monday, March 30, in the Student Union, Room 263.

With the emergence of the term “bromance,” modern pop culture has become fascinated with male friendships. In an evolving society, there is uncertainty as to how these male friendships should appear, their importance and how they can be discussed in a masculine manner. The term “bromance” itself implies a certain awkwardness when referring to these close relationships between men.

Early American writer and philosopher Elbert Hubbard said, “My father always used to say that when you die, if you’ve got five real friends, you’ve had a great life.” The film “Five Friends” is the story of how one man sought to live that life.

Filmed from the mountains of Southern California to the New England coastline, “Five Friends” captures the relationships of a 65-year-old man and his five friends as they reflect on their lives together, support each other in personal struggle and mine the depths of meaningful friendship. Their lives cover success, conflict, marriage, divorce, fatherhood, children and dying. The men reveal their fears and dreams to one another in a profound exploration of vulnerability and transparency among men.

The documentary includes professional commentary from experts in the field. SUNY Stonybrook sociologist and author Michael Kimmel provides insight from his study of how men relate to each other and the obstacles to men connecting with each other. Pastor Alan Frow offers a perspective of intimacy that exposes some of the hidden insecurities that lie beneath the fragile masculine façade.

“Having this event and others like it, we hope to shed light on the concerns men face yet have trouble discussing,” said Michael Burson, student community and coalitions graduate assistant. “We want to challenge the idea that ‘guys cannot say that to guys’ and get men talking about the real issues they face every day.”