The Pelham Picture House hosted a nearly sold-out screening of the documentary ‘Rebel with a Clause’ on Thursday, followed by a conversation with filmmaker Brandt Johnson and his wife Ellen Jovin, author of the novel that served as the basis for the film.

More than five years ago, Jovin and Johnson embarked on a journey across the country to talk about grammar and the English language with Americans from all walks of life. They visited all 50 states with their grammar table, the setting for their encounters with the public. Jovin’s father, an immigrant from Argentina, sparked her interest in linguistics.

“Linguistics has affected how I think,” said Jovin, who grew up speaking German and studied more than 20 languages. The film documented Jovin and Johnson’s unique experiences and interactions with people in each state across the U.S., from Alaska to Hawaii. The heartfelt documentary highlighted the importance of language in uniting people. The two watched as people flooded the grammar table, and despite their differences, people shared an interest in how we communicate with one another, seeming to have a universal understanding of English grammar rules.

After the film was shown, Jovin and Johnson engaged in a question and answer session with the audience, which ranged from elementary-school-aged children to seniors. “The 10–13-year-olds were incredibly charming and enthusiastic about grammar,” said Jovin.

When asked about the impact of the grammar table and Pelham’s audience Jovin said, “People always affect my thinking. It gives me more appreciation for language. We had a beautiful experience here.” However, the night was not complete without the grammar table. Following the Q&A, Jovin and Johnson welcomed people to the table, selling signed copies of Jovin’s book.

“Tonight, we’ve seen some really happy, nice and responsive people here,” said Johnson. “There is a big sense of community in Pelham, and people are happy to interact with one another. This was a wonderful experience.”