Backdrop image for movie American Troubles: A Tale of Two Democracies

American Troubles: A Tale of Two Democracies (2026)

America's democracy feels more divided than ever - but what if the problem lies in how we vote? "American Troubles" explores whether proportional representation could break the cycle of dysfunction, drawing comparisons from two striking case studies: Portland, Oregon, where a bold new voting system is reshaping local politics, and Northern Ireland, where proportional elections helped end decades of violent conflict. Blending history, reform, and human stories, the film shows how electoral rules can entrench division - or create space for compromise.

  • History
  • Documentary

Top billed cast

  • Photo of George CheungGeorge CheungSelf
  • Photo of Colin Joseph ColeColin Joseph ColeSelf
  • Photo of Heather VillanuevaHeather VillanuevaSelf

Similar to American Troubles: A Tale of Two Democracies

Backdrop image for movie Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday (2002)

The dramatised story of the Irish civil rights protest march on January 30 1972 which ended in a massacre by British troops.

  • Drama
  • History
Backdrop image for movie The Bannfoot Ferry

The Bannfoot Ferry (2024)

A forgotten history of Northern Ireland is unveiled through a journey into Ulster Television’s archives, and the rediscovery of the first locally-produced network drama, Boatman Do Not Tarry.

  • Documentary
  • History
Backdrop image for movie The Day Called X

The Day Called X (1957)

Portentously portrays the evacuation of Portland, Oregon, when threatened by a nuclear attack on its state-of-the-art civil defense system.

  • TV Movie
  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Belfast

Belfast (2021)

Buddy is a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, whose life is filled with familial love, childhood hijinks, and a blossoming romance. Yet, with his beloved hometown caught up in increasing turmoil, his family faces a momentous choice: hope the conflict will pass or leave everything they know behind for a new life.

  • Drama
  • History
Backdrop image for movie Maze

Maze (2017)

Inspired by the true events of the infamous 1983 prison breakout of 38 IRA prisoners from HMP Maze, which was to become the biggest prison escape in Europe since World War II.

  • Drama
  • History
  • Thriller
Backdrop image for movie History, Mystery & Oyssey: Six Portland Animators

History, Mystery & Oyssey: Six Portland Animators (2023)

Martin Cooper’s documentary feature explores the lives and work of six internationally renowned, independent animators and animation directors. These multi-award-winning artists are Jim Blashfield, Rose Bond, Joan C. Gratz, Zak Margolis, Joanna Priestley and Chel White. Their animated films span a period of over 40 years and reflect a wide range of techniques, from direct animation and classic stop-motion, through 3D models, clay painting, computer-generated imagery up to AI. History, Mystery & Odyssey is entirely filmed in Portland Oregon, where all these animators live and work.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Zoo

Zoo (2018)

Young Tom and his misfit friends fight to save 'Buster' the baby elephant during the German air raid bombings of Belfast in 1941.

  • Family
  • War
  • History
Backdrop image for movie No Stone Unturned

No Stone Unturned (2017)

Ireland's victory over Italy at the World Cup in New Jersey in 1994, remains a source of Irish pride. But it is haunted by memories of a massacre: terrorists opened fire and killed six innocents while they watched the match in a small village pub in Northern Ireland. Remarkably, no one was ever charged for the crime. For more than twenty years the victims' families have searched for answers. Now, at last, they may have found them. But what they learn turns a murder mystery into bigger inquiry relevant for us all: what happens when governments cover up the truth?

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Here Comes the Summer: The Undertones Story

Here Comes the Summer: The Undertones Story (2012)

In 1978 the Undertones released Teenage Kicks, one of the most perfect and enduring pop records of all time - an adolescent anthem that spoke to teenagers all over the globe. It was the first in a string of hits that created a timeless soundtrack to growing up, making the Undertones one of punk rock's most prolific and popular bands.

  • Documentary
  • Music
Backdrop image for movie Hunger

Hunger (2008)

The story of Bobby Sands, the IRA member who led the 1981 hunger strike during The Troubles in which Irish Republican prisoners tried to win political status.

  • Drama
  • History
Backdrop image for movie Road

Road (2014)

Brothers addicted to speed at any price. Documentary following the motorcycle road racing careers, and fate, of the Dunlop family.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie War and Peace in Ireland

War and Peace in Ireland (1998)

Made on the cusp of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, a film retracing the conflict in Northern Ireland from 1968 to the present day - notably the civil rights movement of the late '60s, the outbreak of war in 1969, the birth of a peace process in the early 1990s that ultimately led to the IRA cease-fires of 1994 and 1997, and the current all-party negotiations that today offer the best chance for peace to the people of Northern Ireland in over a generation. Explores the complexities of the conflict through archival footage and portraits of political leaders who lived these events and played an important role in the search for a peaceful resolution to the seemingly interminable Irish “troubles”.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie The Real Derry: Jamie-Lee O'Donnell

The Real Derry: Jamie-Lee O'Donnell (2022)

With warmth, wit and honesty, Derry Girls' Jamie-Lee O'Donnell reflects on her childhood experiences and discovers what life's like for young people growing up in Derry today.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Young Plato

Young Plato (2022)

Mr. McArevey is a visionary headmaster at a Catholic primary school in one of the toughest neighborhoods of Belfast, Northern Ireland. He loves Elvis and teaches his students to connect with their feelings, while taking on the legacies of the “The Troubles.” In this exceptional portrait of a community still healing from trauma, we follow this educator extraordinaire as he uses Ancient Greek wisdom as an antidote for pessimism, violence, and historical despair.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie I Am Belfast

I Am Belfast (2016)

Belfast, it's a city that is changing, changing because the people are leaving? But one came back, a 10,000 year old woman who claims that she is the city itself.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie The Flats

The Flats (2025)

In his tower-block apartment in New Lodge, Joe reenacts memories from his childhood amidst the “Troubles”. In this Catholic area of Belfast, the number of deaths was tragically significant. Joe is joined by neighbours Jolene, Sean, Angie, and others, all willingly participating in this process of revisiting the collective memories that shaped their lives and the district they live in.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie The Magic Box

The Magic Box (2012)

A special live broadcast on both BBC and UTV, hosted by Eamonn Holmes, celebrating the best of Northern Ireland television over the past 60 years and marking the occasion of digital switchover.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Poison Idea: Legacy of Dysfunction

Poison Idea: Legacy of Dysfunction (2017)

From producer/director Mike Lastra comes the story of punk done right. Featuring live concert performances. Including lots of rare photos, interviews with many band members.

  • Music
  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Welcome to Bridgetown

Welcome to Bridgetown (2015)

Upcoming documentary directed by Adam Smith focusing on Portland Oregon's annual Bridgetown Comedy Festival and the Portland stand-up comedy scene.

  • Documentary