Join Or Die (film) - Mon., May 20 @ 6:30 PM

"Join Or Die"

What: A Public Screening of an Award-Winning Film

When: Monday, May 20 at 6:30 PM

Where: Co-Ed Cinema, Brevard, N.C.

Cost: Suggested Donation of $12 per person

Suggestion: spring for 2 tickets and bring someone with you!

On Monday, May 20th at 6:30 p.m., Center for Spiritual Wisdom and the Co-Ed Cinema in Brevard will host a screening of “Join Or Die,” a new film about community organizations and the vital role they play in our society. As the movie’s title implies, there’s a strong link between membership in a civic group and our personal well-being. Directed by brother-sister team Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis, the film tackles a serious subject using a light-hearted approach. You can watch the movie's trailer HERE.

Groups of all sorts (including faith communities) have been an essential part of America’s social fabric. Unfortunately, a steep decline in the number of people belonging to community organizations has accompanied the stark increase in ideological polarization in the U.S. “Join Or Die” — featuring the voice of social scientist Robert Putnam, the author of Bowling Alone — makes a persuasive case that these two trends are closely tied to each other. This movie contains a vital message about the present and future of America.

In this 99-minute documentary, we follow the half-century story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of America's decades-long decline in community connections. The film suggests that this tearing of our unseen social fabric could hold answers to our democracy's present crisis. Influential fans of Robert Putnam and others — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — make appearances in the movie. We also witness inspiring groups building community today in neighborhoods across the country. Along the way, Putnam explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And — most importantly, What can we do about it?

This will be the Center's third time partnering with the Co-Ed Cinema in bringing a film with spiritual and social significance to the community. The two prior movies were Mission: JOY (featuring the friendship between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu) and Gratitude Revealed. 

You can learn more about Join Or Die at the film's dedicated website.