Synopsis
It influences elections and sways outcomes -- gerrymandering has become a hot-button political topic and symbol for everything broken about the American electoral process. But there are those on the front lines fighting to change the system.
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Cast
- Stephen WolfSelf - Redistricting Expert
- Rick PlutaSelf - Michigan Public Radio
- Charles Williams IISelf - National Action Network (as Rev. Charles Williams II)
- Curt GuyetteSelf - Journalist, Metro Times
- David DaleySelf - Author, "Ratf**ked" and "Unrigged"
- Katie FaheySelf - Voters Not Politicians
- Kevin Deegan-KrauseSelf - Political Science Professor, Wayne State
- Chris JankowskiSelf - Republican Strategist
- Margaret DicksonSelf - Former Democratic State Representative, North Carolina
- Vann NewkirkSelf - Journalist, The Atlantic
Recommendations
- 80
Los Angeles Times
A compelling and instructive look at the political practice of gerrymandering. It’s also an infuriating watch on several levels, which is entirely the point of this call-to-action portrait. - 75
Movie Nation
Slay the Dragon became the rallying cry of the Michigan and now national grassroots campaign to end this partisan practice. But as hopeful as the movie wants to be, it can’t help but make obvious how many steps “the people” are behind those Project RedMap masterminds. - 75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
A fascinating, frequently angry and occasionally darkly funny documentary. - 75
TheWrap
The film is structured so we come away with two competing, and yet complementary, impressions. First, that our political system has become infected with a rampant and deadly corruption that has spread out of control. And second, that there is a communal cure. - 75
The Associated Press
May not be the most heartening portrait of our political system. But it’s a vital one and it provides reasons for optimism, too. - 75
The Film Stage
It means something to see activists in Wisconsin band together and dig for the truth even if the damage has already done its job. Dashed hope is still hope after all. Every example—failed or not—reminds us that we can fight again. - 70
The New York Times
Slay the Dragon is not short on outrage, and just because some of this material is not new doesn’t mean it’s not worth repeating. - 63
Slant Magazine
The film is suitably direct, clear-eyed, and exhaustive in documenting the massive impacts that gerrymandering has, particularly on communities of color.
