‘AN AFRICAN ELECTION’

THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN GHANA SERVE AS A BACKDROP FOR THIS DOCUMENTARY THAT LOOKS BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT THE COMPLEX, POLITICAL MACHINERY OF A DEMOCRACY STRUGGLING TO LEGITIMISE ITSELF. AT STAKE IN THIS RACE ARE THE FATES OF TWO POLITICAL PARTIES THAT WILL DO ALMOST ANYTHING TO WIN. THE ELECTIONS IN GHANA SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE TO OTHER ELECTIONS IN AFRICA.

FILM 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 OF THE 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.

THE RUNNING TIME IS 89 MINUTES

THE FILM WILL BE SCREENED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, AT 19.30 PM IN ROOM 2.01 OF THE ISS. ADDRESS KORTENAERKADE 12.

THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL. AMNESTY MEMBERS WILL ASK VIEWERS TO SIGN CARDS OR PETITIONS TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS.  THIS ACTIVITY IS OPTIONAL.