An African Election

The 2008 presidential elections in Ghana, West Africa, serve as a backdrop for this feature documentary, which looks behind the scenes of a complex, political machinery of a third world country trying to catch up with the first world. Merz embarks on a once in a lifetime political journey. Merz carefully examines the presidential electoral arena and thereby allows for an unprecedented in depth view of the forces at work politically, economically and socially. He thereby never forgets that he is portraying the country he spent his childhood in. He follows the key players for almost three months, witnessing their challenges, their highs and lows and manages to portray people rather than bigger than life characters. The stakes are high and each contestant will do everything, almost everything to win. An African Election” turns into a suspenseful political thriller with unexpected twists and turns, yet always personal through the eyes of its director Jarreth Merz. (Dogwoof Pictures)