Returning to similar thematic territory as her previous 2019 documentary feature, “Knock Down the House,” director Rachel Lears turns to the climate crises in her follow-up, “To the End.” Much like that previous film, Lears follows four female climate activists — Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakesh, Justice Democrats Executive Director Alexandra Rojas, and Roosevelt Institute Policy Director Rhiana Gunn-Wright — as they work to write and institute the Green New Deal.

Continue reading ‘To The End’ Review: A Scattered, Occasionally Brilliant, Rallying Cry about the Climate Crisis [Sundance] at The Playlist.

When Rachel Lears was chronicling the election campaigns of four progressive Democrats trying to upend the status quo she was very aware that all of the primary candidates could lose their races. Amy Vilela was trying to earn the nomination for a Las Vegas area congressional seat long controlled by the vaunted Harry Reid machine. Cori Bush was attempting to overcome one family’s hold on a St. Louis congressional seat for almost 50 years.

Continue reading ‘Knock Down The House’ Director Chronicles The Incredible Journey Of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [Podcast] at The Playlist.

Whether it be environmental dismissal, financial and/or personal loss, ethnic marginalization, or health care equality, far too many good people (and, more specifically, far too many who don’t subscribe to society’s feminine ideal) feel left behind and forgotten by this ‘great nation’. “Knock Down the House,” a documentary conceived by director Rachel Lears – reportedly the day after the 2016 election – follows four empowered women who are mad as hell other American citizens don’t think they matter anymore.

Continue reading ‘Knock Down the House’ Trailer: Rachel Lears’ Doc Takes A Look At Politics’ Brightest New Star at The Playlist.

Young, female, brown, carrying oh-so-terrifying socialist ideals of equality for the underrepresented, and not afraid to speak her mind loudly, U.S. House of Representatives politician and activist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez currently has the Washington D.C. establishment quaking in their boots. Laugh if you want to, but there’s absolutely a reason a brand new, relatively inexperienced 29-year-old congresswoman—the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States—has found herself in the crosshairs of Fox News, The Daily Caller, and dozens of alt-right conservative voices.

Continue reading ‘Knock Down the House’: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Will Fire Up Your Political Spirit [Sundance Review] at The Playlist.