Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival

DIRECTOR: Camilla Nielsson | Denmark | 2014 | 100min

Democrats is a miracle. For cameras to infiltrate the pantomime-of-pretence that is politics seems impossible, least of all in Zimbabwe. To do so takes diplomacy and downright magic, all exhibited by this riveting film, along with unprecedented, exclusive access to African politics. After an electoral debacle which saw Robert Mugabe granted yet another term, international pressure forced ZANU-PF, his party, to draft a new constitution, consulting Zimbabweans across the country. The two men entrusted with this mammoth task were Paul Mangwana of ZANU-PF and Douglas Mwonzora of opposition MDC-T. With tension crackling between Mangwana’s joker and Mwonzora’s straight guy, these two unlikeliest of collaborators must cling together if they’re to weather what is about to be a massive political storm.

See also: Events » The A-Z of Democrats — Camilla Nielsson Master Class

Screenings at Encounters 2015

CT: Sat 6 5.30pm Labia | Mon 8 6.30pm CN V&A | Fri 12 6.30pm CN V&A + Q&A
Jozi: Sat 6 8pm Bio | Mon 8 8.30pm CN Rosebank