In 2020, Alaska became the first in the United States of America to adopt ranked-choice voting, and the documentary "Majority Rules" follows the implementation and political ramifications of the reforms. The film opens Oct. 18 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.
Charlyne Berens, professor emerita in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, was interviewed for and appears in the film.
Continuing is "Dìdi," and the Ross Fright Fest.
With America’s democratic experiment mired in division and dysfunction, the state of Alaska votes to revolutionize their election system. The surprising results spark new alliances, a growing call for election reform, and fierce pushback from political parties. Could changing how Americans vote also change politics for the better?
In "Majority Rules,"veteran political documentary filmmaker AJ Schnack asks whether these new Alaska reforms, an all-candidate open primary and an instant runoff general election, might be a prescription for what ails the American democratic experiment. Traveling across the country, Schnack and his crew interview reform supporters and opponents, looking at where these reforms are already in place and where they may soon be adopted. The resulting film answers two of our nation’s most pressing questions: How did the American electoral system become so dysfunctional, and can changes to how we vote change our entire system for the better?
"Majority Rules" is not rated and is showing through Oct. 24.
In "Dìdi," a Taiwanese American teen learns about life, family and skateboarding. In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old boy learns that family cannot teach him how to skate, flirt or love his mom. A semi-autobiographical love letter to teenage angst that is also slyly self-critical, "Dìdi" is a deeply moving personal statement by writer-director Sean Wang.
"Dìdi," which is rated R, is showing through Oct. 24.
Learn more about the films, including show times and ticket availability.
