Knock Down the House explained

Knock Down the House
Director:Rachel Lears
Music:Ryan Blotnick
Cinematography:Rachel Lears
Editing:Robin Blotnick
Distributor:Netflix
Runtime:86 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Knock Down the House is a 2019 American documentary film directed by Rachel Lears.[1] It revolves around the 2018 congressional primary campaigns of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush and Paula Jean Swearengin, four progressive Democrats endorsed by Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress who ran in that year's midterm elections.[2] [3]

The film had its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2019.[4] [5] It was released on May 1, 2019, by Netflix[6] and received acclaim from critics.

Synopsis

The film follows four female Democrats who decided to run for Congress in the 2018 United States elections: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Amy Vilela of Nevada, Cori Bush of Missouri, and Paula Jean Swearengin of West Virginia. The film charts their campaigns in their respective Democratic primaries. The four candidates each run grassroots campaigns against long-time incumbents.[7] Vilela, Bush, and Swearengin lost their primary elections, but Ocasio-Cortez won her primary and went on to win the general election. (However, two years later, during the next Congressional election cycle, Bush went on to win her primary and the general election in Missouri's 1st congressional district, and Swearengin was the Democratic nominee for West Virginia's Senate race, where she lost to the incumbent by over 40 points. Four years later, Bush also lost renomination.)

Candidates

Production

The day after Donald Trump's election, Rachel Lears began working on her new documentary film.[8] She reached out to organizations such as Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats to find "charismatic female candidates who weren't career politicians, but had become newly galvanized to represent their communities."[8] The search led her to four female candidates: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Amy Vilela of Nevada, Cori Bush of Missouri, and Paula Jean Swearengin of West Virginia.[8] Lears raised $28,111 for the project through Kickstarter.[8]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2019.[9] [10] Shortly after, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film for $10 million, beating out studios and streamers including Hulu, Neon, Focus Features and Amazon Studios.[11] [12] The film was also screened at the True/False Film Festival,[13] the Athena Film Festival,[14] the South by Southwest,[15] the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival,[16] and the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.[17] It was released on May 1, 2019.[18] [19] It was uploaded to YouTube by Netflix on April 17, 2020.[20]

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating from critics of 99% based on 103 reviews, with an average rating of 7.70/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "A galvanizing glimpse behind the scenes of a pivotal election, Knock Down the House should prove engrossing for viewers of all political persuasions."[21] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating to reviews, the film has a weighted average score of 80 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[22]

Kate Erbland of IndieWire gave the film a grade of B, saying, "Stylistically, the film isn't at all fussy: on-screen graphics are straightforward and informative, and Lears leaves the editorializing out of her introductory captions, though the film's score often proves manipulative during the most unnecessary of times."[23] Amy Nicholson of Variety wrote, "That Lears and co-writer Robin Blotnick made a real movie with intelligent camerawork and storytelling on a budget so small that they each pulled double duty as DP and editor, respectively, is a tribute to the energy of every woman who pledged that in 2018 they would make a difference."[24] Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter called it "a pretty extraordinary cinematic artifact."[25] Jordan Hoffman of The Guardian gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, saying, "While this is not Frederick Wiseman-esque pure 'direct cinema' there are enough sequences that lean into that fly-on-the-wall type of film-making."[26] Nick Allen of RogerEbert.com gave the film 3 out of 4 stars and described it as "a worthwhile reminder for American citizens of the importance of making one's voice heard."[27] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, who gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, wrote, "The fighting spirit of this female quartet blazes through every frame of this galvanizing film."[28] Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 4 out of 4 stars, calling it "stirring and inspirational".[29]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Sundance Film FestivalFebruary 2, 2019U.S. Documentary Audience AwardKnock Down the House[30] [31]
Festival Favorite AwardKnock Down the House
Critics' Choice Documentary AwardsNovember 10, 2019Best DocumentaryKnock Down the House[32]
Best Political DocumentaryKnock Down the House
Most Compelling Living Subject of a DocumentaryAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush, and Paula Jean Swearengin
Cinema Eye HonorsJanuary 6, 2020Audience Choice PrizeKnock Down the House[33] [34]
The UnforgettablesAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Black Reel AwardsFebruary 6, 2020Outstanding DocumentaryKnock Down the House[35]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sundance Unveils Politics-Heavy Lineup Featuring Ocasio-Cortez Doc, Feinstein Drama. The Hollywood Reporter. Tatiana. Siegel. November 28, 2018. January 31, 2019. January 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190114160143/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-doc-dianne-feinstein-drama-sundance-2019-lineup-1164468. live.
  2. Web site: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Stars in Sundance Festival Film About 'Most Shocking Political Upset in Recent American History'. Newsweek. Shane. Croucher. November 29, 2018. January 31, 2019. February 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190201013536/https://www.newsweek.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-stars-sundance-festival-film-about-most-shocking-1236317. live.
  3. Web site: "I Need to Take Up Space". Slate. Sam. Adams. January 29, 2019. January 31, 2019. January 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190130191007/https://slate.com/culture/2019/01/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-sundance-documentary-knock-down-the-house-reviewed.html. live.
  4. Web site: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez surprises at Sundance premiere of her emotional new documentary. USA Today. Patrick. Ryan. January 28, 2019. January 31, 2019. February 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190201013435/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2019/01/27/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-surprises-sundance-premiere-her-new-doc/2698284002/. live.
  5. Web site: Knock Down the House: Watch Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Receive Standing Ovation From Sundance Audience After Documentary Screening. Newsweek. Ewan. Palmer. January 28, 2019. January 31, 2019. January 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190130221741/https://www.newsweek.com/knock-down-house-watch-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-receive-standing-ovation-1306983. live.
  6. Web site: Watch: Netflix's Knock Down the House trailer is here to make politics feel a little more hopeful. Vox. Alissa. Wilkinson. April 22, 2019. May 1, 2019. May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501071818/https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/4/22/18510907/knock-down-house-netflix-trailer-ocasio-cortez. live.
  7. Web site: Ocasio-Cortez attending Sundance to see documentary about herself. New York Post. Nikki. Schwab. January 8, 2019. January 31, 2019. February 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190201120111/https://nypost.com/2019/01/08/ocasio-cortez-attending-sundance-to-see-documentary-about-herself/. live.
  8. Web site: The Establishment Didn't Think Ocasio-Cortez Could Win—But This Documentary Filmmaker Did. Vanity Fair. Yohana. Desta. June 29, 2018. January 31, 2019. May 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503043541/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/06/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-documentary-rachel-lears. live.
  9. Web site: Sundance Film Festival Unveils 2019 Features Lineup. Variety. Peter. Debruge. November 28, 2018. January 30, 2019. November 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181129003019/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/2019-sundance-film-festival-competition-program-features-lineup-1203038417/. live.
  10. Web site: Knock Down the House. Sundance Film Festival. January 27, 2019. February 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190227012457/http://www.sundance.org/projects/knock-down-the-house. live.
  11. Web site: Netflix Landing Hot-Button Political Documentary 'Knock Down The House' – Sundance. Deadline Hollywood. Mike Jr.. Fleming. January 30, 2019. January 30, 2019. January 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190131050653/https://deadline.com/2019/01/knock-down-the-house-netflix-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-sundance-film-festival-documentary-1202544739/. live.
  12. Web site: Sundance Festival Favorite 'Knock Down The House' Sold For Record $10 Million; Why This Golden Age For Docus?. Deadline Hollywood. Mike Jr.. Fleming. February 6, 2019. February 12, 2019. February 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190212041641/https://deadline.com/2019/02/knock-down-the-house-10-million-dollar-netflix-deal-alexandra-ocasio-cortez-sundance-festival-documentary-renaissance-1202550755/. live.
  13. Web site: True/False Film Fest Announces 2019 Lineup. IndieWire. Chris. O'Falt. February 6, 2019. March 5, 2019. March 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044054/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/02/true-false-film-fest-documentary-announces-2019-lineup-1202041879/. live.
  14. Web site: 6 Film Series to Catch in N.Y.C. This Weekend. The New York Times. Ben. Kenigsberg. February 28, 2019. March 5, 2019. March 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190304215613/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/movies/nyc-this-weekend-film-series.html. live.
  15. Web site: SXSW Film Festival Sets 'Pet Sematary' As Closing Night Film, Unveils Slate Of Midnighters, Shorts, And More. Deadline Hollywood. Dino-Ray. Ramos. February 6, 2019. February 10, 2019. February 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124422/https://deadline.com/2019/02/sxsw-film-festival-pet-sematary-broad-city-curse-of-la-llorona-midnighters-episodic-1202550442/. live.
  16. Web site: Full Frame Documentary Film Festival Announces Lineup — Exclusive. IndieWire. Chris. O'Falt. March 11, 2019. May 1, 2019. May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501071815/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/03/full-frame-documentary-film-festival-announces-lineup-1202050300/. live.
  17. Web site: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Doc 'Knock Down the House' Set for 2019 Hot Docs Festival. The Hollywood Reporter. Etan. Vlessing. March 5, 2019. May 1, 2019. May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501071819/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-doc-knock-down-house-set-hot-docs-1192309. live.
  18. Web site: "Knock Down the House" - In Select Theaters and Launching Globally on Netflix on May 1. The Futon Critic. March 27, 2019. March 27, 2019. May 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230501060253/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/03/27/knock-down-the-house-in-select-theaters-and-launching-globally-on-netflix-on-may-1-607314/20190327netflix02/. live.
  19. Web site: Netflix's 'Knock Down The House' Documentary Trailer Will Make You Cry About Politics, In A Good Way — VIDEO. Bustle. Jake. Viswanath. April 22, 2019. May 1, 2019. May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501071818/https://www.bustle.com/p/netflixs-knock-down-the-house-documentary-trailer-will-make-you-cry-about-politics-in-a-good-way-video-17135232. live.
  20. Web site: Netflix Releases 10 Documentary Films and Series for Free on YouTube. Variety. Todd. Spangler. April 17, 2020. August 13, 2020. August 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200801032429/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/netflix-free-streaming-10-documentary-films-and-series-youtube-1234583317/. live.
  21. Web site: Knock Down the House (2019). Rotten Tomatoes. May 2019 . Fandango Media. live. January 18, 2021. February 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228021346/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/knock_down_the_house.
  22. Web site: Knock Down the House. CBS. Metacritic. June 7, 2019. May 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190515183822/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/knock-down-the-house. live.
  23. Web site: 'Knock Down the House' Review: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Appears in Emotional, Energetic Doc. IndieWire. Kate. Erbland. January 30, 2019. January 31, 2019. January 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190130174157/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/01/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-knock-down-the-house-review-sundance-1202039092/. live.
  24. Web site: Sundance Film Review: 'Knock Down the House'. Variety. Amy. Nicholson. January 29, 2019. January 31, 2019. January 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190130181137/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/knock-down-the-house-review-1203122808/. live.
  25. Web site: 'Knock Down the House': Film Review Sundance 2019. The Hollywood Reporter. Leslie. Felperin. January 27, 2019. January 31, 2019. February 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190201013618/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/knock-down-house-review-1180096. live.
  26. Web site: Knock Down the House review – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doc brings down the house. The Guardian. Jordan. Hoffman. January 28, 2019. January 31, 2019. January 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190131122648/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jan/28/knock-down-the-house-review-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-doc-brings-down-the-house. live.
  27. Web site: Knock Down the House. RogerEbert.com. Nick. Allen. May 1, 2019. May 6, 2019. May 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190503221913/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/knock-down-the-house-2019. live.
  28. AOC Emerges as an Inspiring Example in 'Knock Down the House'. Rolling Stone. Peter. Travers. Peter Travers. April 30, 2019. May 6, 2019. May 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190504025202/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/knock-down-house-documentary-review-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-829001/. live.
  29. News: Richard. Roeper. Richard Roeper. Stirring documentary 'Knock Down the House' captures the rise of AOC. April 30, 2019. Chicago Sun-Times. May 27, 2019. May 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190527191515/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/4/30/18619112/stirring-documentary-knock-down-the-house-captures-the-rise-of-aoc. live.
  30. Web site: 'Clemency' & Documentary 'One Child Nation' Take Top Sundance Film Festival Awards. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. February 2, 2019. February 12, 2019. February 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190212190425/https://deadline.com/2019/02/sundance-film-festival-awards-2019-live-stream-winners-list-1202548287/. live.
  31. Web site: AOC-Fronted 'Knock Down The House' Wins Sundance's Festival Favorite Award. Deadline Hollywood. Patrick. Hipes. February 5, 2019. February 12, 2019. February 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190212190404/https://deadline.com/2019/02/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-documentary-knock-down-the-house-wins-sundance-festival-favorite-award-1202550323/. live.
  32. Web site: Critics' Choice Documentary Awards: 'Apollo 11' Tops Winners List. The Hollywood Reporter. Kimberly. Nordyke. Annie. Howard. November 10, 2019. March 20, 2020. January 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200107031301/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-critics-choice-documentary-awards-winners-full-list-1250528. live.
  33. Web site: Cinema Eye Honors: 'American Factory,' 'Apollo 11' Top Awards. The Hollywood Reporter. Hilary. Lewis. January 7, 2020. March 20, 2020. March 20, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200320225556/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/cinema-eye-honors-2020-complete-list-winners-1265576. live.
  34. Web site: Cinema Eye Honors: 'American Factory,' 'Apollo 11' Lead Nominees. The Hollywood Reporter. Annie. Howard. November 7, 2019. March 20, 2020. January 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200101132731/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/cinema-eye-honors-2020-complete-list-nominees-1250581. live.
  35. Web site: 20th Annual Black Reel Awards – Nominees Announced. Blackfilm. Wilson. Morales. December 11, 2019. March 20, 2020. December 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191213062404/https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2019/12/20th-annual-black-reel-awards-nominees-announced/. dead.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Knock Down the House".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.