WHAT’S STREAMING: Documentary follows the rise of ‘AOC’

The film reveals the breakout congresswoman before she was ‘AOC.’|

Speaking of political candidates theoretically dragged down by their schlubby partners! (See review at left.) In Netflix’s “Knock Down the House” a movie star like Charlize Theron is exchanged for the much rarer political star: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. And many people watching this documentary see for the first time her hirsute, ginger partner, who wears running shorts to a shocking number of official Democratic Party events.

The film reveals the breakout congresswoman before she was “AOC,” before Fox News shows became daily advertisements for her platform, when she was filling ice buckets at the bar where she held a day job like the rest of us.

Ocasio-Cortez notes that for one anti-PAC progressive to win, many had to try and “Knock Down the House” also follows the campaigns of Amy Vilela of Nevada, Cori Bush of Missouri and Paula Jean Swearengin of West Virginia, all of whom ran to fight for universal healthcare, for environmental reform, for the American people to wake the hell up. Director Rachel Lears’ film is straightforward in style but potent in message - it’s the first but surely not the last documentary to be made about Ocasio-Cortez.

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