The Island President
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Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

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  • Starring: Mohamed Nasheed
  • Summary: Jon Shenk’s The Island President is the story of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced—the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. After bringing democracy to the Maldives after thirty years of def despotic rule, Nasheed is now faced with an even greater challenge: as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives enough to make them uninhabitable. (Samuel Goldwyn Films)… Collapse

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    Mar 31, 2012
    90
    Nasheed has traveled the world describing the Maldives as the Poland of global warming - meaning, of course, Poland in 1939. If his country cannot be saved from rising sea levels, he maintains, then there may be no saving Tokyo or Mumbai or New Orleans or New York.
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Patrick Peters
    Mar 31, 2012
    80
    A fascinating insight into the disparity between rich and poor, and powerful nations and their less muscle-flexing neighbours. And, unless you're a fish, it's also pretty darn scary.
  3. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Phil Contrino
    Apr 3, 2012
    80
    A gripping new documentary that's essential viewing for anybody who believes that the impact of global warming is tomorrow's problem.
  4. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Melissa Anderson
    Mar 27, 2012
    60
    The Island President also shows how the most high-minded idealists inevitably become deal-makers: The toothless agreement eventually ratified in Copenhagen - which calls for but doesn't require CO2 reductions - is lauded by Nasheed as "a very good, planet-saving document."

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. mrnice
    9
    A vital document on a vital subject. You don't have to like what you see here. It's a story set around a major diplomatic failure, and as such the footage should be heart-breaking. But the primary hero of the movie is well chosen since he lifts us from despair to an inspired state, realizing that the political course of action is just a sum of inputs from more-or-less heroic individuals. We follow arguably the most heroic, and thereby see an example worth our full attention. The documentary shows footage from negotiations, speeches, the political struggle, and the dreaded COP15-conference. It also shows footage from Maldives, about the current impacts of rising waters (or.. that was four years ago) and Mr Nasheed's service on the islands. It never gets heavy or dull (as this long review), but uses lots of music (by Radiohead mostly) and visually interesting shots to feel fresh and moving. It is an important document in order to know of the struggles of individuals when the leaders of the rich failed to come together for the world, and it is a strong testemony to Mr Nasheed's struggle and work. If Muhamed Nasheed is ever to be judged by anyone, I hope this movie will be played in his defense..… Expand
  2. DannyHerrera16
    9
    The hope that infuses this movie makes it all the more upsetting to walk out of the theater and contemplate a looming disaster that the world's leaders seem unable to prevent.… Expand

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