JOIN OR DIE (2023)

Logline: "Join or Die" is a film about why you should join a club—and why the fate of America may depend on it. Follow the story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose viral "Bowling Alone" research into the decline in American community lights a path out of our democracy's present crisis. Flanked by influential fans and scholars—from Hillary Clinton and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr. and Pete Buttigieg—as well as inspiring groups building community across America, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is our democracy in crisis? And, most importantly: What can we do about it?

Directed by: Pete Davis & Rebecca Davis

Key Festival Appearances: SXSW Feature Documentary Competition (2023)

Score description: Features a very animated and energetic Los Angeles chamber orchestra, full of woodwind and brass colors to accompany the quirky and creative animation style of the film. I would call this a hybrid of Leonard Bernstein and Joe Hisaishi.