Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
ie8 fix
An African Election
An African Election Image
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critics What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 3 more ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The 2008 presidential elections in Ghana, West Africa, serve as a backdrop for this feature documentary that looks behind-the-scenes at the complex, political machinery of a third world democracy struggling to legitimize itself to its first world contemporaries. At stake in this race are the fates of two political parties that will do almost anything to win. Director Jarreth Merz follows the key players for almost three months to provide an unprecedented insider’s view of the political, economic and social forces at work in Ghana. He builds suspense by taking the viewer down the back roads of the nation to capture each unexpected twist and turn in a contest that is always exciting and never predictable. Throughout the film, Merz depicts the pride and humanity of the larger-than-life politicians, party operatives and citizens who battle for the soul of their country. (Urban Republic)… Expand
  • Director: Jarreth J. Merz
  • Genre(s): Drama, History, Thriller, Documentary
  • Rating: Not Rated
  • Runtime: 89 min
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Ernest Hardy
    Nov 29, 2011
    80
    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.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    Nov 29, 2011
    80
    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.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: David Parkinson
    Nov 29, 2011
    60
    Occasionally lacking in context but never less than intriguing, Jarreth Merz's polished film is a handy document to a rarely visited democracy.

See all 4 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. gibsonlive
    9
    I have been following this film since the premier at Sundance. It is unlike any political film that I've have seen, It has a feeling of a thriller in that you are inside of an election that is about to spiral out of control.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

Recommended Products

  1. Khodorkovsky

    • Release Date: Nov 30, 2011
    Khodorkovsky Image

  2. The Yellow Sea

    The Yellow Sea Image

  3. El Sicario: Room 164

    El Sicario: Room 164 Image

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. The Secret World of Arrietty
    Metascore: 81
  2. War Horse
    Metascore: 72
  3. Haywire
    Metascore: 67
  4. The Grey
    Metascore: 64
  5. The Woman in Black
    Metascore: 62
  6. The Iron Lady
    Metascore: 54
  7. Safe House
    Metascore: 52
  8. Contraband
    Metascore: 52
  9. Red Tails
    Metascore: 46
  10. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
    Metascore: 46
  11. The Vow
    Metascore: 43
  12. Underworld Awakening
    Metascore: 39
  13. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
    Metascore: 31
  14. This Means War
    Metascore: 31
  15. One for the Money
    Metascore: 22
  16. The Devil Inside
    Metascore: 18
  17. The Darkest Hour
    Metascore: 16
All Current Movies »