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2019
Zeitgeist Films
1 h 47 m

2019
Zeitgeist Films
1 h 47 m

Summary Coming at a moment of profound political and social crisis, What Is Democracy? reflects on a word we too often take for granted. Director Astra Taylor’s idiosyncratic, philosophical journey spans millennia and continents: from ancient Athens’ groundbreaking experiment in self-government to capitalism’s roots in medieval Italy; from moder...

Documentary

Directed By: Astra Taylor

Written By: Astra Taylor

2019
Zeitgeist Films
1 h 47 m

2019
Zeitgeist Films
1 h 47 m

What Is Democracy?

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

71

User Score Available after 4 ratings

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Where to Watch

Summary Coming at a moment of profound political and social crisis, What Is Democracy? reflects on a word we too often take for granted. Director Astra Taylor’s idiosyncratic, philosophical journey spans millennia and continents: from ancient Athens’ groundbreaking experiment in self-government to capitalism’s roots in medieval Italy; from moder...

Documentary

Directed By: Astra Taylor

Written By: Astra Taylor

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Astra Taylor

Self

Silvia Federici

Self - Feminist Scholar and Activist

Eleni Perdikouri

Self - Professor of Philosophy

Harrison Preddy

Self - NC State College Republicans

Hannah Niles

Self - NC State College Republicans

Cornel West

Self - Professor of African-American Studies

Mickey Michaux

Self - North Carolina General Assembly

William J. Barber II

Self - Raleigh Protest Speaker

Delaney Vandergrift

Self - Activist and Student

Efima Karakantza

Self - Professor of Ancient Greek Literature

Eulalia Francisco

Self - Opportunity Threads Cooperative

Alfonso Gonzalez

Self - Opportunity Threads Cooperative

Walter Vicente

Self - Opportunity Threads Cooperative

Wendy Brown

Self - Professor of Political Science

George A. Papandreou

Self - Former Prime Minister of Greece

Aspasia Balta

Self - Activist

Zoé Konstantopoulou

Self - Former Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament

Emmy Koutsopoulou

Self - Clinic Volunteer

Angela Davis

Self - Scholar and Activist

Badili Jones

Self - Activist

View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

71% Positive
5 Reviews

29% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

71% Positive
5 Reviews

29% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Jan 22, 2019

Taylor’s mission with this film—to answer the unanswerable—is brave. Where it shines most is in how concise, clear and comprehensive each main idea is relayed.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Jan 15, 2019

It’s a thoughtful, brainy, deeply considered and artful film that arouses the intellect and the passions and grapples with the problems of democracy.

By John Semley FULL REVIEW

Jan 15, 2019

Elegantly shot and fluidly edited, What Is Democracy? reveals Taylor’s sure instincts as she shapes the vast sprawl of often disparate, sometimes random-feeling material into a focused, thought-provoking essay that even leaves you feeling that there was so much more to say on the subject.

By Allan Hunter FULL REVIEW

Jan 15, 2019

An extended and good-looking essay, it serves as a sharp reminder to pay attention to politics and to remember that the personal and the local are political. If you like thinking about that sort of thing, and you care about whether your democracy means anything, this film might make you get up and take some action.

Los Angeles Times

Feb 21, 2019

It all adds up to a kaleidoscopic, somewhat random, yet always involving approach to a major concept that, despite the wealth and breadth of Taylor’s offerings here, feels like just the first step in surveying anew where democracy stands — and falls — in our present universe. But what a crucial first step it is.

By Gary Goldstein FULL REVIEW

The Hollywood Reporter

Jan 16, 2019

A smart doc that's as earnest and scattered as the viewers likely to seek it out, Astra Taylor's What Is Democracy? looks around at the world and realizes that even those of us on the right sides of things aren't always sure what we're fighting for.

By John DeFore FULL REVIEW

The New York Times

Jan 15, 2019

Like democracy itself, the movie assumes such a broad mandate and has such noble intentions that indicating its shortcomings seems almost beside the point.

By Ben Kenigsberg FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

Production Company National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

Release Date Jan 16, 2019

Duration 1 h 47 m

Genres

Documentary

Website http://www.nfb.ca/

View All Details

Awards

Sheffield International Documentary Festival

• 1 Nomination

Camden International Film Festival

• 1 Nomination

Vancouver Film Critics Circle

• 1 Nomination

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