Rachel Lears in conversation with Professor Betsy West at Columbia Journalism’s Film Friday screening of Knock Down the House.
“Our democracy is imperfect. All of the problems that existed before this film still exist. But whether it's voting, volunteering on a campaign or in your community, to running for office, I hope people feel like there's a place for their voice in the democratic process. That was always what we wanted people to get out of it.”
Award-winning Director Rachel Lears (The Hand that Feeds, Birds of Passage) talks with Columbia Journalism Professor Betsy West (RBG) about her film Knock Down the House. The documentary is a behind the scenes look at four insurgent, grassroots campaigns run by women. Lears began filming before the meteoric rise of underdog Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, so the film provides a fly-on-the-wall look at her stunning upset of powerful incumbent Democrat, Joe Crowly.
Lears shot 95% of the film herself, scrambling to cover four campaigns with different election days in disparate states - New York, Nevada, Missouri, and West Virginia. She talks about what it was like watching Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez become a nation-wide sensation, and how important it was to follow the other women too, no matter what their outcomes.
You can stream Knock Down the House on Netflix, or go to https://knockdownthehouse.com/ for a schedule of theatrical screenings.
The 2020 duPont-Columbia Award ceremony took place on January 21st! Go to www.duPont.org to watch the full program. Check our FB page @duPontColumbiaAwards.