AOC Netflix documentary: Knock Down the House trailer, release date and who is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

28-year-old Alexandria drew national recognition when she won the Democratic Party’s primary election for New York’s congressional district 
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US politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the breakout star of new Netflix documentary, Knock Down the House.

Directed by Rachel Lears, the film follows Ms Ocasio-Cortez and three other female Democrats during last year’s midterm election races.

The film first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and Netflix later paid a record $10 million (£7.7m) to secure the rights.

As Knock Down the House prepares to drop on Netflix this week, here's what you need to know about film.

Who is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks during a news conference at the East Front of the U.S. Capitol February 7, 2019 in Washington, DC
Getty

28-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew national recognition when she won the Democratic Party’s primary election for New York’s congressional district in the 2018 midterm elections.

Her historic win against 10-term congressman Joe Crowley made her the youngest person in Congress.

Throughout her political career so far, she has demonstrated a progressive agenda, including the abolition of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

She has also openly criticised President Trump’s immigration policies.

“No one should feel unsafe in the United States of America, and that includes our amazing and beautiful and productive immigrant country,” she said in an interview following the President’s televised address, which focused on the issue of immigration.

“He has systematically engaged in the violation of human rights on our border,” she added.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez is known for having a strong social media presence, posting everything from political campaigns to hanging out in her home borough of the Bronx on her Instagram page, which boasts 3.3 million followers.

What is the AOC Netflix documentary about?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reveals what motivated her to run for House of Representatives in Knock Down the House. (Netflix )
Netflix

The 90-minute film tracks the efforts of four female candidates, including Ms Ocasio-Cortez, as they embark on the campaign trail.

In the film’s trailer, Ms Ocasio-Cortez describes how she felt facing Mr Crowley and what motivated her to run.

“If I was a rational person I would have dropped out of this race a long time ago,” she admits.

“He’s gonna tell me I’m small, that I’m young, that I’m inexperienced.

“Americans aren’t asking for a lot. They’re asking for politicians to help them get by.”

She adds: “I just don’t want to let them down.”

Which other female candidates running for US office are featured?

Democratic candidate Cori Bush also stars in Knock Down the House
Netflix

Also featured in the film alongside Ms Ocasio-Cortez are fellow candidates Amy Vilela, a single mother from Las Vegas, Cori Bush, an African American woman from the same district in Missouri where unarmed teenager Michael Brown was killed and Paula Jean Swearengin, a woman whose West Virginia community has suffered dramatically as a result of fracking.

All four candidates were selected by the groups Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress as part of a push for diversity in political representation. Only Ms Ocasio-Cortez was successful in her midterm bid.

Is there a trailer?

Yes - Netflix dropped the trailer for Knock Down the House earlier this month, which you can watch below:

When is Knock Down the House released on Netflix?

The documentary will be released on Netflix and screened in selected cinemas on May 1.

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