Bobby Roth's 'Lightworkers' Screens Ahead of Midterms: Stars on Fighting for Democracy

Director Bobby Roth will stream his activism documentary "Lightworkers" online on three nights before the midterm elections — Tuesday, Sept. 29, Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Wednesday, Oct. 14 — with each screening accommodating up to 5,000 viewers.

The film asks a direct question: what drives celebrities such as Henry Winkler, Tom Morello and Wendie Malick, along with politicians and activists, to work for change? Roth explores how their families shaped their commitment to saving democracy and what keeps them engaged against today's obstacles.

Roth, whose credits include the feature "Heartbreakers" and the TV series "Prison Break," interviewed dozens of actors, artists, musicians, politicians and nonprofit leaders about what makes them angry and what inspires them. He and author and podcaster Robert Hubble offered early viewings to activist organizations before opening the online screenings to the public.

The interviews cut against historical footage spanning the Holocaust, the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and ICE raids. The juxtaposition starkly portrays the events that pushed the interviewees into action on issues including voting rights.

Several testimonies anchor the film. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine recalls his fight to write about apartheid for his high school newspaper. Actress and director Lee Grant describes her 12 years of blacklisting in Hollywood. Roth frames these stories as evidence that experiencing injustice can push people to speak out against oppression and censorship.

The documentary also features activist David Hogg, Congressman Jamie Raskin, former Congressman Adam Kinzinger and Freedom Rider Peggy Preacely.

Asked what individuals can do to fight the system, the subjects answer in plain terms. "Nothing is too small," says actor Peter Coyote. "One voice matters," says Native American educator Betty Osceola.

The film carries endorsements from Bruce Springsteen and documentarian Ken Burns, and Roth appeared on "Deadline White House" to discuss it. Viewers can rent "Lightworkers" or arrange group screenings through the film's listed information.

With the midterms approaching, the three-night run positions "Lightworkers" as both a document of celebrity activism and a direct prompt for civic engagement.