TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2015 // A FILM REVIEW OF "DEMOCRATS"
The 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, runs April 15th-26th and features hundreds of features, documentaries, short films, and special events all throughout downtown New York City. The ArtsWire Weekly's three featured reviewers Mateo, Derek, & Chrisena are hitting the festival and bringing the reviews right to you! What you should see and what you should skip...
Imagine working in the government and suddenly having the ability to draft a new constitution. A way to bring democracy to your side of the world. That was the reality of the citizens of Zimbabwe following a very contentious 2008 presidential win by Robert Mugabe, who has served since Dec 31st, 1987. Often his Presidential wins were marred by claims of election fraud, vote manipulation, and intimidation. The effort to make a new constitution is chronicled here, with the new documentary DEMOCRATS. The overall goal is to give the people of Zimbabwe the rights that they have long been denied. Two men, both from opposite sides of the political spectrum, are appointed to the committee who will create this new way of life. The men are Paul Mangwana and Douglas Mwonzora. Almost immediately the two butt heads and cannot seem to see eye to eye. Mangwana works for the current government and spouts claims saying its okay to sometimes not tell the whole truth to get your way. Mwonzora is much more to the point; he sees how the system is not working, how Mugabe is not the leader he feels should be leading, and wants to initiate real change. So they, along with the rest of the committee, work on this document through 2009 up until 2013 when it all seems to fall apart around them. Huge highs and lows, as if scripted in a film, happen. Mangwana is accused of selling out and his life is suddenly on the line. Mwonzora is unjustly jailed. Tensions flare and a new way of life is born, showcased in this truly wonderful film.
Director Camilla Nielsson was given unbelievable access to the entire process, and we as viewers are taken directly into the lion’s den to see this all happen before us, watching democracy being born. The people have been afraid to speak out and the tension throughout the process is palpable. You feel the floor beneath it all ready to be pulled out at any minute. To have everything fall apart. Showcasing how this constitution was eventually written, amongst compromises and hard fight arguments, is incredible, and important. It's a beautifully directed and edited piece with the stars of the film being all of the citizens of Zimbabwe. We root for them, and worry for them, and as we do, we can't keep our eyes off of DEMOCRATS.
VERDICT: MUST SEE
DIRECTED BY Camilla Nielsson FEATURING Paul Mangwana, Douglas Mwonzora
Playing as part of The 2015 Tribeca International Film Festival. For tickets & schedules: http://www.tribecafilm.com
MATEO MORENO recently won a bet on who could hold their breath the longest underwater. He won the bet, having beat local loudmouth Jimmy "Thunderbird" Thomas with a record breaking "fourteen minutes." True, part of that time was him unconscious and the other part was him being revived, but he still counts it, and is now $20 richer. Take THAT Thunderbird! He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.