Join or Die

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Join or Die

9/23 screening followed by panel discussion

2023. 93 m. Rebecca Davis & Pete Davis. Abramorama. US. English. Rated NR.

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Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club — and why the fate of America depends on it. In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America’s civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking Bowling Alone research into America’s decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy’s present crisis.

Flanked by influential fans and scholars — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly… What can we do about it?

"Robert Putnam is an affable, sensitive person and a wonderful camera subject who never seems calculated, withholding, or insincere."
Matt Zoller Seitz, RogerEbert.com

PAST EVENTS

9/23: Panel discussion with filmmaker Rebecca Davis, Volunteer New York! executive director Jeanette Gisbert, and writer Allison Gilbert

Monday, Sep. 23 2024, 7:00

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Rebecca Davis has produced for HBO, VICE, Al Jazeera and A&E — and was the supervising producer for Season 2 of Vox's hit Netflix show, Explained. She was a senior producer with NBC News for nearly a decade, where her work focused on social movements, environmental and economic justice, and community innovators. Join or Die is her first feature-length documentary.
Jeanette Gisbert joined Volunteer New York! in 2008 and became Executive Director in July 2020 after serving as an Executive Fellow for Capacity Building and Networks with Points of Light. In her previous role as Deputy Executive Director, Jeanette focused on mission delivery, overseeing programmatic strategy and cohesion and supporting revenue generating specifically related to corporate outreach. Previously, Jeanette was New York Cares' first Director of Volunteer Relations, responsible for the recruitment and management of thousands of volunteers and hundreds of volunteer leaders. Jeanette started her career as an Americorps VISTA member. She holds a BS in Management from Boston College and her Masters in Public Administration from CUNY Baruch. She is a Westchester native and lives in Cortlandt Manor with her husband and son.
Allison Gilbert is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and one of the most influential writers and speakers on how to find the inner resources to overcome life’s biggest challenges. Through research and lived experience, Allison helps audiences transform grief and loss, manage caregiving and chronic illness, and find connection amid the growing public health crisis of social isolation and loneliness. She is co-author of Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s final book, The Joy of Connections: 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life. Copies of The Joy of Connections will be available for purchase courtesy of The Village Bookstore. Co-writer Allison Gilbert will sign books after the screening.