Knock Down the House

KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE scores a knockout with its depictions of four women encouraged to run for office and supported by grass roots political movements erupting throughout the United States. Not willing to be satisfied with establishment candidates, organizations such as Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress recruit “ordinary” folks to take on that establishment. The new voices portrayed in this film: Cori Bush, a nurse/pastor and mom, running against Lacy Clay, whose family has held the 1st congressional seat in Missouri since 1968. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a waitress and nonprofit activist from the Bronx, is hoping to unseat Joseph Crowley, who has held the seat in New York’s 14th District for 10 years. Paula Jean Swearengin, an anti-coal advocate, vies for Senator Joe Manchin’s West Virginia senate seat; Manchin, a right-leaning Democrat, has been in the Senate since 2010. Finally, Amy Vilela, a fervent advocate for health care reform, was a long-shot candidate for the open seat in Nevada’s District 4. Rachel Lears’ camera team follows the four progressive women as they move through the challenging struggles of underdog campaigns.