LAST EXIT MIDTERMS – DEMOCRACY IN DANGER?

  • nordische filmtage

As the U.S. heads into the pivotal 2026 midterm elections, a journey through Arizona reveals a democracy under pressure – where opposing worlds collide over migration, economic insecurity and a fundamental question: will Americans still accept the result if they lose?

Year

2026

Length

45 min

Director

Marcel Mettelsiefen, Ira Beetz

Share

Synopsis

November 3, 2026, marks the halfway point of Donald Trump’s second term, and Americans will elect a new Congress. For Trump, this puts his power to the test: The midterms will determine whether Congress will keep the president in check or give him free rein in the future. Just how fundamental this conflict is becomes particularly clear in Arizona. This hotly contested state has become a microcosm of a deeply divided nation. Here, we see what is driving the entire country: the debate over immigration, economic security, and the nation’s political direction—but also the growing doubt as to whether election results are even accepted anymore. The film follows people on opposing sides of this conflict and asks: Do democratic checks and balances still function when trust in elections, the opposition, and institutions is dwindling?

Written and directed by:
Marcel Mettelsiefen, Ira Beetz

 

DOP:
Marcel Mettelsiefen
John Landry
Mateusz Smolka
Felix Greif
Stefan Wiesen

 

Editor:
Stephen Ellis
Jens Greuner

 

Graphics:
Studio Fritz Gnad

 

Color Correction:
Andreas Teichert

 

Fact Checking:
Dr. David Sirakov

 

With Contributions from:
Hebah Abdalla Lehmann
Joi Lee

 

Archive Producer:
Florian Tropp
Masha Chelova
Thembi Hahn

 

Post Production Management:
Alexander Steyer

 

Producer:
Eva Fouquet
Nele Thumser

 

Production Assistants:
Theresa Altmeyer

 

Production Management:
Marcel Rechten

 

Line Producer:
Ferdinand Freising

 

Executive Producer:
Reinhardt Beetz

 

Production ZDF:
Jenny Heininger

 

Commissioning Editors ZDF:
Ron Boese
Carmen Peter

 

Editorial Management ZDF:
Caroline Reiher

Billions Mike
Trailer

Produced by

  • beetz

Produced for

  • zdf

LAST EXIT MIDTERMS – DEMOCRACY IN DANGER?

  • nordische filmtage

As the U.S. heads into the pivotal 2026 midterm elections, a journey through Arizona reveals a democracy under pressure – where opposing worlds collide over migration, economic insecurity and a fundamental question: will Americans still accept the result if they lose?

Year

2026

Length

45 min

Director

Marcel Mettelsiefen, Ira Beetz

Share

Synopsis

November 3, 2026, marks the halfway point of Donald Trump’s second term, and Americans will elect a new Congress. For Trump, this puts his power to the test: The midterms will determine whether Congress will keep the president in check or give him free rein in the future. Just how fundamental this conflict is becomes particularly clear in Arizona. This hotly contested state has become a microcosm of a deeply divided nation. Here, we see what is driving the entire country: the debate over immigration, economic security, and the nation’s political direction—but also the growing doubt as to whether election results are even accepted anymore. The film follows people on opposing sides of this conflict and asks: Do democratic checks and balances still function when trust in elections, the opposition, and institutions is dwindling?

Written and directed by:
Marcel Mettelsiefen, Ira Beetz

 

DOP:
Marcel Mettelsiefen
John Landry
Mateusz Smolka
Felix Greif
Stefan Wiesen

 

Editor:
Stephen Ellis
Jens Greuner

 

Graphics:
Studio Fritz Gnad

 

Color Correction:
Andreas Teichert

 

Fact Checking:
Dr. David Sirakov

 

With Contributions from:
Hebah Abdalla Lehmann
Joi Lee

 

Archive Producer:
Florian Tropp
Masha Chelova
Thembi Hahn

 

Post Production Management:
Alexander Steyer

 

Producer:
Eva Fouquet
Nele Thumser

 

Production Assistants:
Theresa Altmeyer

 

Production Management:
Marcel Rechten

 

Line Producer:
Ferdinand Freising

 

Executive Producer:
Reinhardt Beetz

 

Production ZDF:
Jenny Heininger

 

Commissioning Editors ZDF:
Ron Boese
Carmen Peter

 

Editorial Management ZDF:
Caroline Reiher

Billions Mike
Trailer

Produced by

  • beetz

Produced for

  • zdf