Slay the Dragon (2020)
86%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: 1 win & 3 nominations
Slay the Dragon takes a suitably outraged — but ultimately optimistic — look at modern-day gerrymandering that doubles as a heartfelt call to action
If you’re looking for a documentary that’s both informative and entertaining, then “Slay the Dragon” is the perfect pick. Sure, it’s wonky and political, but it’s also well-edited and even-handed. Plus, it’s got a David-vs.-Goliath storyline that’s moderately rousing. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love rooting for the underdog? So, grab some popcorn and get ready to slay some dragons (or at least learn how to fight gerrymandering).
Production Company(ies)
Bi Bi Film, Rai Fiction, Film Commission Torino-Piemonte
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language.
Year of Release
2020
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2020
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, politics, gerrymandering, activism, Chris Durrance, Barak Goodman, Barak Goodman, Jeff Skoll, William Von Mueffling, Diane Weyermann, PG-13, reviewed by Richard Whittaker, Adam Graham, Eric Kohn, Alissa Wilkinson, Peter Rainer, Christy Lemire, Jennie Kermode, Alex Bentley, Stephen Silver, John Serba, Carla Hay, directed by Chris Durrance, Barak Goodman, produced by Barak Goodman, executive produced by Jeff Skoll, William Von Mueffling, Diane Weyermann, Slay the Dragon, documentary film, American politics, election process, activism, voting, democracy, modern-day gerrymandering, heartfelt call to action, suitably outraged, optimistic, wonky, informative, well-edited, even-handed, infuriating, must-see viewing, important primer, David-vs.-Goliath doc, history lesson, wake-up call, U.S voters, central injustice of our time, classrooms, treatise, not just anyone, secure access, Auth0, Neptune Frost, Big River Man, Democrats, The Social Dilemma, Untouchable, Thor: Love and Thunder, Marvel Movies in Order, Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Sea Beast, Black Bird, Hello, Goodbye, Everything in Between, The Prey: Legend of Karnoctus, Moon, 66 Questions, Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel, Dangerous Liaisons, Jewel, Warriors on the Field, Fair Play, box office performance, budget
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Barak Goodman – Director
Barak Goodman – Producer
Jeff Skoll – Executive Producer
William Von Mueffling – Executive Producer
Diane Weyermann – Executive Producer
Director(s)
Chris Durrance, Barak Goodman
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Barak Goodman
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
1 win & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (49) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (49)
This is the best primer on political gerrymandering imaginable and should be mandatory viewing in grad school public policy symposiums and high school civics classes alike.
April 30, 2020 | Rating: 4.5/5
Richard Whittaker
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Gerrymandering is purposely confusing. Even its name is wonky. But the compelling, impassioned documentary “Slay the Dragon” does an effective job of explaining it…
April 4, 2020 | Rating: B
Adam Graham
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
While it doesn’t exactly bring new information to the table, the movie provides a welcome breakdown of the dramatic impact that gerrymandering has across American society whenever election season comes around.
April 4, 2020 | Rating: B
Eric Kohn
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
Slay the Dragon isn’t a glorified PowerPoint presentation about the history of voting. It’s an unabashed activist documentary aimed at convincing viewers they can fight gerrymandering in their home states.
April 4, 2020 | Rating: 4/5
Alissa Wilkinson
Vox
TOP CRITIC
It’s a terrific film. I was a little wary that it going to be really wonky, which it sort of is, but it is also extremely well-edited… and it’s even-handed.
April 4, 2020
Peter Rainer
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
This film is absolutely infuriating and it is must-see viewing.
April 4, 2020
Christy Lemire
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
TOP CRITIC
If you’ve ever felt mistreated by the system and wanted to do something about it but not known where to start, this is an excellent primer.
April 8, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5
Jennie Kermode
Eye for Film
Slay the Dragon shines the light on something that, while not as sexy and well-known as candidate campaigns, is just as important in our democracy as anything else.
February 17, 2021
Alex Bentley
CultureMap
A dry, earnest liberal documentary about the evils of gerrymandering
August 21, 2020 | Rating: 3/5
Stephen Silver
Splice Today
A moderately rousing David-vs.-Goliath doc addressing something that’s one of the far, far, far too many absolutely relevant issues of the day.
August 7, 2020
John Serba
Decider
The political documentary Slay the Dragon is part history lesson, part wake-up call to U.S. voters.
July 12, 2020
Carla Hay
Culture Mix
A film that needs to be shown in classrooms. An important treatise on gerrymandering, which may be the central injustice of our time.
April 21, 2020
Witney Seibold
Critically Acclaimed Podcast…
Plot
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.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t provide any goofy or funny comments about the film “Slay the Dragon.”
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