Reviews

An African Election on metacritics METASCORE An African Election on Rotten Tomatoes

 

Los Angeles Times
Kenneth Turan

 

What is finally most compelling about this film is the sense it gives of how passionately the citizens of Ghana believe in democracy, how much it means to them.

 

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New York Times
Jeannette Catsoulis

 

“As we join throngs of excited citizens at a public vote-counting, their uninhibited zeal for the process only highlights the jaded cynicism that threatens to overwhelm our own.”

 

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Village Voice
Ernest Hardy
Even those who closely follow African (or global) politics will likely be bowled over by the real-life plot twists unfolding before Merz’s camera. What makes the film especially resonate now is the frustration with the status quo that is consistently voiced by the people on the street.

 

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The Economist

The film gets under the skin of the election process. Mr Merz and his team trail both Atta Mills and his main opponent, Nana Akufo-Addo, for three months in the run up to polling day. They beat the dusty campaign trail, taking in the roaring crowds at rallies and the sniping behind the scenes. Living among the politicians, they observe how Ghana’s young democratic institutions flex under the pressure of elections.

 

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Democracy in Africa

 

A film you need to see. If you haven’t already seen ‘An Africa Election’, the documentary on the Ghanaian elections of 2008 in which the NDC opposition narrowly defeated the incumbent NPP, you really should.

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Citizen Reporter

 

Reviews and Interview during the Amsterdam International Documentary
Film Festival by citizenreporter.org, author bicyclemark.

Check out and listen >>HERE

 

 

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World Affairs Council Oregon
Matthew Essieh

 

The film captures the intrigue and the ethical dilemmas of electioneering, the intensity of the vote-counting process, and the mood of the countrymen whose fate lies precariously in the balance—all of it unfolding with the tension of a political thriller.

 

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Empire
”Jarreth Merz’s polished film is a handy document to a rarely visited democracy.”

 

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The Guardian
Xan Brooks

 

Along the way, the film paints a portrait of an engaged, energised electorate, thronging the rallies and queuing for 12 hours straight at the polling stations. It’s a good foundation; something to build on.

 

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Society Hae
By Mecca Woods

 

The fast-paced tone of the film captures the excitement surrounding the campaigns between Ghana’s two largest political parties. A vivid portrait of the pride and humanity of the larger-than-life politicians, party operatives and citizens who battle for the soul of their country.

 

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Best for Film
By Rich Mix and Dogwoof
Jarreth Merz’s remarkable film An African Election grants viewers unprecedented access to the anatomy of Ghana’s 2008 presidential elections. An African Election illuminates a beacon of hope for Africa and for the value and vitality of democracy today.

 

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Cinema Eye
By Gilbert Seah

 

AN AFICAN ELECTION emerges as an entertaining suspense documentary that pushes all the right buttons.  The best thing about it all is that all that happens on screen is true.  Anyone who has seen this film will appreciate that freedom comes at a high price – but the cost is well worth the big fight.

 

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Documentary Edge

 

For the first time ever, a filmmaker may have succeeded in penetrating the so-called Strong Room, where all election results are being gathered. The film depicts the pride and humanity of the larger-than-life politicians, party operatives and citizens who battle for the soul of their country.

 

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