How didKnock Down the Housefilmmakers Rachel Lears and Robin Blotnick predict the rise of AOC?
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Ahhh, I need to take up space.
I need to take up space.
A huge cardboard box she hasnt yet recycled is wedged behind her couch.
Shes just a bartender at a Union Square taqueria.
Its June 2018, and even thefuture youngest congresswoman in historyneeds some ritual confidence building.
Hes going to tell me I cant do this.
Then she throws her arms out in front of her, shooting out imaginary laser beams.
This is not about electing me to Congress.
This is about electingusto Congress.
Learss husband and the films editor, Robin Blotnick, says he was skeptical at the onset.
When she won, it surprised me, just like it did the whole nation.
That serendipity is what makesKnock Down the Houseso compelling, even if we know the outcome.
The films emotional impact wasnt just a matter of luck, though.
Both groups had put out a call and got some 10,000 submissions; Ocasio-Cortezs brother nominated her.
All agreed to be filmed; it was another act of service, to demystify the political process.
As a result, Ocasio-Cortez became the films de facto star.
We see her at the very meeting where she decides to run for office.
Ocasio-Cortez responds quickly and forcefully: I think we have to look at what that power does now.
When it matters, he doesnt stand up for us.
When it matters, he doesnt advocate for our interests.
We have to have the courage to say we can do better.
Its not going to be a loss.
We see her knocking on doors, and getting shut down knocking on doors.
Her mom, she says, cleaned houses in exchange for SAT lessons for her kids.
(Theyre notoriously private.)
(Shes not stupid, but thank you, says Crowley.)
In the end, all three lost.
Hed edit in whatever little bursts of free time he could find.
Filming with @ocasio2018 in front of the US Capitol on Sunday- what a whirlwind week!
It was the national scope of this movement that was my initial interest in it.
The filmmakers saw each candidates story of loss as crucial to highlighting AOCs achievement.
The moment that she won the primary is a moment that I wont ever forget, says Blotnick.
I was not there, and thats something Ill always kind of be annoyed about.
The alert didnt mention Ocasio-Cortezs name.
And our whole life was about to change.
Netflix is betting big on the movie, giving it a theatrical run for awards consideration.
We were totally ready to do the story if all four of them had lost, he says.
We had a whole plan.
Lears couldnt have predicted how emotional Ocasio-Cortez would get.
Its an image that, after weeks of relentless editing, would becomeKnock Down the Houses final shot.
