Religion, Democracy, and Authoritarianism: A Transnational Conversation on the Film “Apocalypse in the Tropics”

Date & Time: Thursday May 7, 2026 | 4:30 – 7:50 P.M.
Location: Theron Room, Wright Library

“Apocalypse in the Tropics,” directed by Petra Costa, is an award-winning documentary that explores the connections between religious imaginaries, political power, and the fragility of democracy. Focusing on the close relationship between Brazilian evangelical leaders and the Jair Bolsonaro administration, the film draws connections to broader global dynamics, including the influence of U.S.-originated theonomy and dominionism in Brazilian theopolitics.

A post-screening roundtable will feature film-producer Alessandra Orofino, Princeton University social and political historian Miqueias H. Mugge, and Princeton Theological Seminary professors Heath Carter and Raimundo Barreto. The discussion will treat the film as a point of departure to explore the fine line between instances when religious discourse promotes democratic participation and when it legitimizes authoritarian tendencies. This event, co-sponsored by the Religion and Society Program at Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton University’s Brazil LAB, invites the audience to engage critically with Petra Costa’s documentary, fostering a conversation that highlights the global relevance of the issues raised in the film and encourages thoughtful reflection on the future of democracy and the complex roles religious discourse plays in that context.

Refreshments will be provided.

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