A national screening of Rebecca and Peter Davis’ documentary film “Join or Die” on September 15 will kick off the first “In Real Life Movie Club,” a nonprofit film series and in-person events created for U.S. audiences to connect with their local community and discuss timely issues currently being addressed in independently produced documentaries.

“Join or Die,” which follows the work of “Bowling Alone” author and social scientist Robert Putnam, who argues that joining a club can help save democracy, had its world premiere at the 2023 South by Southwest Film Festival. The documentary features interviews with Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Abramorama acquired the documentary’s North American theatrical rights and released the film in select theaters on July 31.

On September 15, International Democracy Day, the documentary will be shown in over 50 cinemas across the country. IRL Movie Club viewers are encouraged to wear their favorite t-shirt, hat or pin to show their pride in the club.

Annie Roney, founder and CEO of documentary film distribution agency Roco Films, is the board chair of the IRL Movie Club. She explains that the idea for the IRL series came directly from watching “Join or Die.”

“In his film, Putnam posits that democracy dies when we stop meeting in real life to talk and socialize,” Roney says. “I would add that democracy also dies when the public doesn’t have access to good information. While independent documentaries that educate and challenge audiences on current issues used to be a predictable offering on television, cable and streaming channels, that is tragically no longer the case. So we are redoubling our efforts.”

Roney adds that the nonprofit wants to support filmmakers, community theater and, in particular, “Americans who want to build real connections across political lines.”

The nonprofit organization Real Life Movies Inc. is currently raising funds to fund the IRL Movie Club. Additionally, Art House Convergence – a coalition of over 1,200 independent theaters – has partnered with IRL Movies to help the series reach smaller markets across the country. Participating theaters will receive screening kits with marketing materials to promote the screening and community engagement activities.

“Art House Convergence is pleased to support the initiative as it leverages the power of independent film to unite communities and encourage meaningful civic engagement,” says Lela Meadow-Conner, board chair of Art House Convergence. “This aligns with our mission to support independent exhibitors as important cultural hubs.”

The IRL Movie Club will host quarterly documentary film screenings nationwide in the public interest and without regard to profit. Theaters and filmmakers will receive a participation fee through the support of IRL Movie donors, so the interested public will receive subsidized tickets. Individuals who purchase the free IRL Movie Club membership can purchase tickets for five dollars. All proceeds from the tickets will go back to the nonprofit organization.

“Join or Die” will be shown in theaters in various cities such as Dallas, Detroit and Seattle. The film will also be shown at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco.

“The IRL Movie Club represents an exciting new opportunity for independent arthouse cinemas,” says Lex Sloan, executive director of the Roxie Theater and board member of Art House Convergence. “By curating timely and relevant independent films and providing resources to engage audiences, the IRL Movie Club enables venues like San Francisco’s Roxie Theater to thrive as vibrant cultural centers.”

In a joint statement, directors and siblings Rebecca and Peter Davis of Join or Die said, “Many people report that Putnam’s work seemed like a bright spot in their lives – they finally had the concepts to understand our societal crisis and the motivation to do something about it in their own neighborhoods and institutions. The goal of the film was to create that bright spot for a million more Americans and give them new clarity about the sociological roots of our societal crisis.”

The IRL Movie Club is fundamentally low-tech, down-to-earth and community-oriented. Rather than a traditional post-screening question-and-answer session, members are encouraged to greet their seatmates and chat about the film long after it’s over. Each theater will appoint a host to welcome people to the screening and encourage post-screening conversation.

The next screening at the IRL Movie Club will be this winter.