Through the Lens

Join or Die

Wed, April 9, 2025 at 7:00 pm

The City Library

Featuring a Q&A moderated by KUER’s RadioWest host Doug Fabrizio with Co-Director and Producer, Rebecca Davis.

Directed by Pete Davis, Rebecca Davis

Runtime: 99 MIN

Year: 2023

Country: United States

Content warning: Language

Language: English

Recommended for ages: TV-14

Cast: Robert Putnam, Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, Eddie S. Glaude. Jr, Vivek Murthy

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?

Official Selection

2023 SXSW Film Festival, 2023 SF DocFest, 2023 Denver Filim Festival, 2023 History Film Festival, 2024 Justice Film Festival, 2023 Jacksonville Film Festival, 2023 Clinton Presidential Center with Hillary Clinton, 2023 Congressional Auditorium Screening with Surgeon General Dr. VIvek Murthy and Senator Chris Murphy, 2023 DC Premiere at Georgetown’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, 2023 Civic Cinema with Boston Mayor’s Office, 2023 Harvard’s Building Connected Communities Conference

Awards

Jury Prize for Best Feature-2023 SF DocFestAudience Award-2023 History Film FestivalBest Feature Documentary-2023 Jacksonville Film Festival

Screening captions: English Captions

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