Americans are experiencing a crisis of loneliness–and even in a city of eight million people, it’s all too easy to feel disconnected from our fellow New Yorkers and disengaged from civic life. With immense changes to our nation’s institutions on the horizon, how can we build common purpose, aid, and empowerment locally?

Famed social scientist Robert Putnam has a suggestion: join a club. Whether it’s to participate in sports, crafts, advocacy, religion–or any other hobby or interest you can imagine–meeting with other people for a common purpose has benefits on an individual and collective level. In the award-winning documentary Join or Die, Putnam explains why, and talks to some of the community organizations revitalizing American locales and spirits.

On January 16, Open House New York presents a special screening of Join or Die. We invite you to come together with our community and get inspired to build a stronger and more connected city.

FILM SYNOPSIS

Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club — and why the fate of America depends on it. In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America’s civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” research into America’s decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy’s present crisis. Flanked by influential fans and scholars — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly… What can we do about it?

SVA Theatre is committed to accessibility for all patrons. The venue is ADA compliant and provides listening devices for the hearing impaired.