In a world plagued by stolen elections, secret government agendas, and a renewed interest in the exploitation of African natural resources, what value does democracy offer, particularly in the tumultuous region of West Africa? For Ghana, a nation that has been Africa's barometer of political stability, democracy may mean the difference between peace and prosperity—and murderous chaos under military coup.

An African Election is a remarkable documentary from Jarreth Merz, that grants viewers unprecedented access to the anatomy of Ghana's 2008 presidential elections. Out on 25 November it captures the intrigue of electioneering, the intensity of the vote-counting process, and the mood of the countrymen whose fate lies precariously in the balance.

Swiss born director, Merz, makes his way to Accra, the capital of Ghana, the country he spent his childhood in, to trace memories of the past but more importantly to witness first hand how this once hopeful third world country has progressed.

An African Election illuminates a beacon of hope for Africa and for the value and vitality of democracy today.
Synopsis:
The 2008 presidential elections in Ghana, West Africa, serve as a backdrop for this feature documentary, which looks behind the scenes of a complex, political machinery of a third world country trying to catch up with the first world.

Merz carefully examines the presidential electoral arena giving an unparalleled in depth view of the forces at work politically, economically and socially. He follows the key players for almost three months, witnessing their challenges, their highs and lows and manages to portray the people rather than the larger than life characters.

The stakes are high and each contestant will do almost anything to win.

The film unfolds with all the tension of a political thriller, revealing the emotions, passions, and ethical decisions that both threaten—and maintain—the integrity of the democratic process.

свернуть