An African Election

As you can accurately surmise from its title, Jarreth Merz's documentary, "An African Election," is indeed about politics, but it's also about a whole lot more.

The movie focuses on the most recent presidential election in Ghana, the same year, of course, in which Barack Obama was elected president of the United States (and please, anyone tempted to make a comment about us having an "African election" in this country in 2008, keep it to your friggin' self!).

The more accurate parallel to draw, however, is with the 2000 election of George W. Bush, because the Ghana race chronicled with verve here is a very tight one, and the words that come to mind most often as you watch it unfold are "chaos" and "passion." And that passion really doesn't seem to be for the candidates themselves, in a two-party race in which they seem to be interchangeable. Ideology, in fact, rarely enters into the picture in the race between Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.

What Ghanians are clearly passionate about, however, is democracy itself, which is still a relatively new concept in the country and one that is cherished (as Merz pointed out in the post-film Q&A, nearly 80 percent of eligible Ghanians voted in the election.) And just how fresh and fragile democracy itself is in Ghana is reinforced by the presence of Jerry John Rawlings, a military commander who took over the country in a coup in 1981 and later founded the NDC and was twice elected as Ghana's president starting in 1992. The throngs that this African "lion" (as Mertz described him) draws on the campaign trail are as impressive as they are seemingly on the brink of combustion at any minute.

The most impressive aspect of Merz's movie is his access to all the key players in what, if you like political movies as much as I do, really plays out as a thriller, with not just who will win the race but whether the election itself will succeed or descend into a violent nightmare looming questions until the very end. The passions that rule in the "strong room" (you really have to see it to believe it) are all laid out raw, and in the chaos of counting and recounting, charges and counter charges of fraud, it is very reminiscent of what happened in the U.S. in 2000 in Florida.

Keith Demko http://reelfanatic.blogspot.com

"An African Election" is about the presidential election of 2008 in Ghana. It's one of the few African nations where they've had recent PEACEFUL elections and in 2008 it's yet another chance to see if the democratic system works or is destined to failure. In this case, it's a contest between the NDC (which used to rule the country for many years) and the NPP (who currently holds the presidency).

Throughout the film, there is no narration and folks on all sides of the political spectrum get their chance to speak--both the politicians, their boosters and the average Ghanian. For the most part, the democratic system seems to be working though there are some serious challenges including: the use of 'macho men' to dissuade voters, some volatile citizens and politicians who seem quick to claim cheating has occurred--even before they get the facts. However, on the positive side, I was amazed at how involved the citizens were--with a greater than 96% voter turnout* and voters arriving as early as 3am in order to vote and many waiting 10-12 hours to vote!

While I liked seeing this look at politics Ghanian style, I also was a bit frustrated because little was provided as far as explaining the Ghanian political landscape. For example, you have no idea WHAT the NDC and NPP stand for and how they differ! And, although they focus on the presidency, what about the legislation? I felt that so much could have been said and the context for the film seemed to be missing. Good, but it could have been a lot better.

*In the 'civilized world', voter turn out is shameful. The last time it even topped (barely) 60% in the USA was 1968. We have a lot to learn from the Ghanians!

Not so much about the particular party politics as it is about the pride of Ghana. Abolishes media induced stereotypes and gives a true picture and feel of an election and life in an African country.

More important than the outcome of the dramatically close election is the necessity to prove to the world and even more than that to set the foundation for Ghana pride through the upholding of the solid legitimacy of the election. We don't know how the election will turn out and that is exciting but even more so we root for a peaceful democratic election that may seem questionable based on media induced notions. It proves to the world influenced by the media, who plagues Africa with the stereotypical political corruption and anarchy, how solid, serious and legitimate the process is and how far Ghana and Africa have come. A multi stepped detailed process entailing the upholding of the constitution, the hard work of the neutral election committee and the people's heart and soul lining up to place their ballots with zeal. All to ensure Ghana elects the rightful leader and upholds democracy as well as any nation on the globe could.

Riveting and intense the close election and the outcome make an unpredictable edge of your seat thriller that not only entertains but informs. We learn about party politics (not so much the individual politics of Ghana's leaders rather more general notions of partisan politics), we are exposed to an interesting gueveraesque revolutionary history with charismatic leaders that has not been overly delved into and is probably not that well known by most westerners and we get a life on the streets feel where we arm chair travel so that we briefly feel and witness the country, the people and the continent. The rapid shots were intense but a slower passed editing style is more favorable to absorb some of the scenes and more fully transport to Ghana. The access to both the top leaders and the election committee will amaze. It is probably the closest any filmmaker has gotten to both opposing party leaders at that highest level. A great documentary!