Knock Down the House

Knock Down the House

2019, Politics  -   16 Comments
4.23
12345678910
Ratings: 4.23/10 from 127 users.

A triumphant political underdog story, Knock Down the House profiles four Democratic candidates as they run for office during the 2018 U.S. mid-term elections. Each are outsiders who lack the sharply honed savvy of the professional politicians they're running against. Each are fighting to gain momentum by building formidable grassroot movements. And each are female.

The film benefits from its uncanny sense of foresight. While not all of the profiled candidates enjoy victories on election night, each is a vital player in a blossoming political revolution. Their drive, ambition, and common folk demeanor transcend the results of a single election; they speak to a growing activism that could redefine the establishment.

Early in the film, it becomes clear that the obvious star is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year old Bronx-born bartender who feels compelled to place herself on the high wire of mainstream politics to fight for her beliefs. A democratic socialistic who was an early and impassioned supporter of Bernie Sanders, she ultimately became the youngest person elected to Congress. As the filmmakers follow her every move on the campaign trail - while she shakes hands and shares her gift of comforting relatability - it's easy to see why.

The other candidates featured in the film include Paula Jean Swearengin, a single mother from West Virginia who ran against incumbent Senator Joe Manchin, Amy Vilela, a Medicare for All enthusiast who runs for a congressional seat, and Cori Bush, a nurse who campaigns for the U.S. Congress in Missouri. Political unknowns who are initially underfunded and under resourced, these women are clearly poised for a David and Goliath battle to win their states. Each were motivated into politics by the failings of their predecessors to enact meaningful change in the arenas of health care, gun violence and the environment.

Knock Down the House shows viewers where their passions originated, their struggles to maintain sanity in a vicious election cycle, and the real-life consequences their families have suffered from their broken government. But it also revives faith in the power and promise of a political system that should and can be a function of the people and for the people.

Directed by: Rachel Lears

More great documentaries

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

16 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Chris
Chris
1 year ago

The tone of some of these comments is truly frightening. All strength to AOC and people like her. The world, not just America, needs more people like her

jon
jon
2 years ago

"Knock Down the House"?? These idiots couldn't get Knocked Up!

jon
jon
2 years ago

"A triumphant political underdog story"... These idiots haven't a brain cell b/w them to share. They're in it for the $$$ and power . They can care less about our freedoms and values. The sooner they are voted out of office, the sooner our country can move forward. instead of backwards, to the time of Hitler, Mao and Stalin.

Jon
Jon
2 years ago

Losers in life elected by other losers in life. The Squaws are hateful, mentally challenged, traitors who will soon fade into the dustbin of history
Occasional Cortex, Rubber Lips Talib, and the rest of the harpy's need to be relegated as a bad virus

Joe Blow
Joe Blow
3 years ago

4 Marxist idiots who need to be in prison.

NY Policeria
NY Policeria
3 years ago

Aged like milk. It’s 2021 now and they never did anything but tweet and censor.

Cubicle32
Cubicle32
3 years ago

When someone comes before the people who can speak their message clearly and with sincerity...the people will support and the establishment will take note. Not to see what they can learn to do a better job unfortunately, but what they can do to bring that candidate down. It's rarely we have people in Congress with a sincere desire to serve...most are like Crowley...educated, lazy and with no real fire in their belly to do everything possible to raise his community up...and not just show up but show-out. I believe AOC when she said working as a bartender prepared her for this. We need more young people in politics who work as bartenders, who work at places like Amazon's fulfillment centers, who work as nurses and teachers. America needs you to prepare for the battle of your lives...pandemics, oligarchs, dirty air, water, soil, homelessness. It's hard to believe men like Crowley could actually say he "works hard," while "his" community continued to get worse! Four excellent candidates!