- Slay the Dragon website
- The People– Group in Michigan that is featured in the film
- Post-film discussion from our October 27, 2020 screening, with Suresh Venkatasubramanian, professor at the School of Computing at the University of Utah
Missed the film? Slay the Dragon is now available to stream:
Gerrymander (/ˈjerēˌmandər/ /ˈdʒɛriˌmændər/) to manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favor one party or class.
Ten years ago, a secretive high-tech gerrymandering initiative was launched with only one mission in mind: undermine American democracy. Directed by Barak Goodman (Woodstock, Oklahoma City) and Chris Durrance (Gerald R.Ford: A Test of Character), Slay the Dragon follows the real-life stories of everyday people fighting on the front lines to make sure their vote matters. As the 2020 Census approaches, American democracy is once again defending itself against those who might aim to manipulate district boundaries in an effort to sway elections. Now more than ever before, activists are taking a stand, making their voices heard, and giving power back to the American people.
“Slay the Dragon is the most important political film of the year, and it may prove to be one of the key political films of the decade. It’s a documentary about gerrymandering, and offhand it would be hard to think of a subject less sexy — or a phrase less inviting to audiences than “a documentary about gerrymandering.” But that issue, more than any other, is the subject from which American democracy now hangs. By a thread.” — Variety
About the Film-Discussion
Suresh Venkatasubramanian, professor at the School of Computing at the University of Utah, will talk about “tech advances and anti-democratic processes” as they relate to gerrymandering and voting. As a scholar of data science, Dr. Venkatasubramanian is specifically interested in the “social ramifications of automated decision making” and also sits on the board of ACLU Utah. His presentation, in concert with Slay the Dragon, will open your eyes as to where we might be 10 years into the future if we don’t remain vigilant to assaults on our right to vote.
Why you should watch it:
Voting, like all of our institutions, is shaped by those in power and changes constantly. At a time when district lines become battle lines and poll lines become acts of endurance, a thoughtful look at where we are and where we’re going feels necessary. Read more…
– Ethan Morris, member of Utah Film Center’s development team
Presented as part of
Science on Screen® is an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre. With major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
How To Watch
Click the Live Stream link button at the top of the page to be taken to the film screening. This live stream screening is hosted on Eventive.org which offers apps for Apple TV and Roku, additionally, you can watch on your computer, phone, or tablet and can “cast” to your TV using a Chromecast, FireTV, Roku, and Apple TV. Wondering how to connect your computer or mobile device to your TV? Check out our overview of wired and wireless options.
