A group of five students of Colby College in Maine filmed a 30-minute documentary about the way bingo helps to build bonds among players and creates a sense of community. The film is called “Town Hall”.
Lillian Hannigan (57) appears in the film. She has overcome several health problems, including an aneurysm, and says in the documentary that bingo has given her the power to go on. “Bingo is my community therapy, an opportunity to spend the evening among friends”, Lillian says.
The filmmakers say that when they first went to the Bingo halls they knew nothing and had to learn how to play. They started visiting bingo halls on a weekly basis and became acquainted with the regulars. They immediately felt something special: the support of the bingo hall community.
The film director, Matt Sabin, said: "They were just happy to know us, and because of this friendship they wanted to do anything they could to help us."