Date: JUNE 8, 2021
Written by:
Lisbet Byler
PBS Docuseries Dismantling Democracy Raises Magnifying Glass on the Democratic Systems
Award-winning film production company MAKE/FILMS, in partnership with the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics and Virginia Public Media, has its sights set on winning a Capital Emmy for its PBS docuseries Dismantling Democracy at the 63rd Annual Emmy Awards on June 26, 2021. Recently nominated by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the category of “Documentary - Cultural | Topical,” the team at MAKE/FILMS’ is making an industry name for themselves as brilliant storytellers, and this is arguably the biggest story the company has told yet.
Dismantling Democracy, released in late 2020 on Amazon Prime and PBS, examines the creation of democracy in America, its controversial state in the country today, and explores the rise and fall of democratic systems across the world. This documentary breaks down all the factors needed to not only create a democracy, but also how one can be destroyed. While the docu-series focuses mainly within the United States, it also discusses systems in other regions including China, North Korea, and Venezuela. The comparison to well-known democratic systems across the world and other regions who have been denied democracy by authoritarian leadership gives viewers a side-by-side analysis to how easily a democratic system can fall in a relatively short time.
“From last year’s election to COVID-19 to the Black Lives Matter movement, 2020 made us take a hard look at our current political climate and its future,” said Derek Dienner, Executive Producer and Founder of MAKE/FILMS. “Despite the significant production setbacks our team experienced due to the global pandemic, our film team never wavered from our mission to produce a high-quality film that inspires and motivates people. I couldn’t be prouder of the work we have done with our partners to deliver a one-of-a-kind docu-series that teaches all of us about the ins and outs of the rise and fall of a democratic system.”
Dismantling Democracy is streaming on Amazon Prime. Check out the MAKE/FILMS Behind the Scenes footage here.
The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter (NCCB) of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a non-profit, professional organization serving the Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC television community. The NATAS Emmy Award is the industry’s benchmark for the recognition of the television excellence. NATAS-NCCB is dedicated to advancement in the art and science of television. The Academy’s goals are to foster creative leadership in the television industry, and to encourage artistic, educational, and cultural excellence and technical progress. For more information, click here.
MAKE/FILMS is a full-service video production company based in Downtown Lancaster, PA that produces videos for a variety of local, regional, and national clients. Their services include commercials, identity films, scripted films and series, documentaries, and more. To find out more about MAKE/FILMS, click here.
