PUTNEY-Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, presents a special screening of the documentary Join or Die Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m.
Directed by Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis, Join or Die (93 minutes, 2024) is a timely and deeply engaging film that explores a simple but powerful idea: joining a club can help save American democracy. The film follows Harvard social scientist Robert D. Putnam, author of the book Bowling Alone, as he traces the decades-long decline in civic engagement, social connection, and community life in the United States — and examines what this erosion means for the future of democracy.
Blending “social science with humor, warmth, and striking visuals,” Join or Die asks three urgent questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And most importantly, What can we do about it?
Along the way, Putnam’s story is enriched by voices from across politics, public health, economics, and culture, including Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker.
The film also spotlights grassroots organizations across the country that are actively rebuilding civic life — from bowling leagues and cycling collectives to mutual aid groups and labor alliances.
Premiering to strong acclaim at the South by Southwest Film Festival, the film has been praised as both “galvanizing” and “hopeful.”
“Days later, I am still thinking about Join or Die and its message about community,” Slash Film’s Ryan Scott wrote in his review. “I am going to join a club, maybe even start a club. […] I am going to do my part for democracy [...]. If that isn’t the mark of a good documentary, what is?”
Milwaukee Magazine reviewer Archer Parquette wrote: “It’s hard to watch without feeling the personal impact of Putnam’s ideas in your own life — the social disconnection, the apathy, the cynicism — and as the credits role, you might just find yourself wanting to join a bowling league.“
“At a moment of deep polarization and widespread social isolation,” wrote organizers in a news release, Join or Die offers a “call to action.” They said the film reminds audiences “democracy doesn’t begin at the ballot box, but in neighborhoods, clubs, congregations, and community spaces where people choose to show up together.”
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $10, and can be purchased at nextstagearts.org.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.