Dear Harris,
Please see below for a special announcement from Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse, my longtime collaborator and Executive Director of Inequality Media Civic Action.
When I decided to retire from teaching two years ago, I wanted to do it quietly. I preferred to make it about the students, not me.
One of the people I told was my longtime collaborator and Coffee Klatch podcast co-host, Heather Lofthouse. She wanted to do a video to document my last class. "Maybe we can put it up on YouTube," she said.
Instead, she partnered with filmmaker Elliot Kirschner, and they ended up making a feature-length documentary to show how education can triumph over cynicism.
I've been a teacher for most of the last 42 years. And I've never been more sure of the power of — and need for — public education.
I'm excited to see what Elliot and Heather have put together. I'm thrilled and humbled that it will be in theaters this summer. I hope you will have a chance to see it.
Thanks,
Robert Reich
Harris,
I'm privileged to work closely with Robert Reich, especially in such daunting times. I run Inequality Media and Inequality Media Civic Action, both of which he co-founded. I co-host the Coffee Klatch podcast with him every Saturday. I get to witness his creativity, tenacity, and prolificness directly.
The first time I met him was 20 years ago as his student. The world learns from him in many ways — through his books, articles, and videos — but experiencing his inspirational and unexpected approaches to teaching, and his profound humanity, in the classroom is distinct.
As many of you know, Bob taught his final undergraduate course at UC Berkeley two years ago, closing a chapter on a career that shaped over 40,000 students. I suggested the IMCA team capture some of it, for an internet video or two. I teamed up with director Elliot Kirschner and in the end we made IMCA's first feature-length film. As Bob prepares for his final class, we get to watch him wrestle with the dual realities of his own aging and his students inheriting a world out of balance.
I'm thrilled to offer viewers the opportunity to experience this side of Prof. Reich in his classroom, and I'm grateful for his willingness to share his pedagogy — and vulnerabilities — with us all.
It's especially important to tell this story about the importance of education at a point when so much feels broken and people have doubts about future generations. This film is a tribute to the countless educators, students, and advocates who show up every day, despite a broken system that often asks the impossible of them. Now more than ever, we need to shed light on these underappreciated leaders.
The Last Class will premiere at The Quad Cinema in New York City on June 27, 2025, with screenings around the country to follow. More details and announcements to come.
Be the first to hear about screenings, premieres, and how to bring The Last Class to your city by signing up now.
See you at the movies!
All my best,
Heather Lofthouse
Executive Director
Inequality Media Civic Action
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