’14th’ Director Ava DuVernay on Midterm Elections: ‘Either Way We’re in Trouble’

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay is warning that the midterm elections aren’t looking great for the U.S. — no matter what the outcome.

“I think either way we’re in trouble,” DuVernay told me at the Airbnb.org Gala last week. “If the Democrats pull it out, I think you’re going to see an outsized reaction from the administration and I think if they don’t, you’re going to see an outsized reaction from the administration.”

DuVernay’s latest documentary, “14^th,” has earned critical acclaim and award season buzz. The film takes a look at the 14^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which established birthright citizenship, due process and equal protection under the law.

“Folks need to really understand what it means to be a citizen, what it means to fight and to really know your rights,” DuVernay said.

With just two days to go until Election Day, more than 43 million Americans have already voted early in person or returned mail ballots, The Associated Press reported on Oct. 30. According to the latest national congressional ballot average shows Democrats still lead Republicans by 8.2 percentage points. Democrats lead by 51.4 percent to 43.2 percent, according to RealClearPolling. It is widely predicted that the Democrats will regain control of the House of Representatives. The Dems have the chance to flip the Senate as well, but the races are too tight to call anything as definitive as the House.

Asked what her next doc till tackle, DuVernay said, “There’s so much going on. There’s no lack of material or things to look at or advocate for, so we all need to keep our eye on the ball and keep pushing forward.”