Knock Down the House facts for kids
Knock Down the House is a 2019 American documentary movie directed by Rachel Lears. It tells the story of four women who decided to run for Congress in the 2018 midterm elections. These women were Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush, and Paula Jean Swearengin. They were supported by groups like Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress, and they aimed to bring new ideas to politics.
The movie first showed at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2019. It was then released for everyone to watch on May 1, 2019, by Netflix.
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What is a Documentary?
A documentary is a type of movie that shows real events and people. It is not a made-up story. Documentaries often try to teach viewers about a topic or show different points of view. Knock Down the House is a documentary because it follows the real journeys of these four women as they try to become members of Congress.
The Idea Behind the Movie
The movie focuses on a special kind of election called a primary campaign. In a primary election, people from the same political party compete against each other. The winner then goes on to run in the main election against candidates from other parties. The four women in the movie were all Democrats who wanted to challenge powerful politicians already in office. They were considered "progressive," which means they supported new ideas and changes to improve society.
Why These Four Women?
The director, Rachel Lears, chose to follow these specific women because they represented a new wave of political candidates. They were not typical politicians.
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a young community organizer from New York.
- Amy Vilela was a financial services professional from Nevada.
- Cori Bush was a nurse and pastor from Missouri.
- Paula Jean Swearengin was a coal miner's daughter from West Virginia.
They all came from everyday backgrounds and wanted to make a difference in their communities.
The Journey to Congress
The movie shows the challenges these women faced during their campaigns. Running for Congress is very hard work. It involves:
- Meeting many people and listening to their concerns.
- Giving speeches and explaining their ideas.
- Raising money to pay for campaign ads and staff.
- Traveling a lot and working long hours.
The film highlights their dedication and the support they received from volunteers and their communities. It shows how difficult it can be for new people to enter politics, especially when they are running against well-known politicians.
Where the Movie Was Shown
Knock Down the House first premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. This is a very famous film festival held every year in Utah. Many new and independent movies are shown there for the first time. After its premiere, the movie was bought by Netflix, a popular streaming service. This meant that many people around the world could watch it from their homes.
Why This Movie Matters
This documentary is important because it shows how ordinary people can try to make a big change in politics. It inspires viewers to learn more about how elections work and how they can get involved in their communities. The movie reminds us that everyone's voice can count, even if they are not famous or wealthy. It encourages young people to think about how they can help shape the future of their country.
Images for kids
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