On Friday, Jarreth Mertz came to show his documentary An African Election to a sizable crowd in Accra. I have been wanting to see the film on the 2008 elections since I first heard about it and only watching the trailer (see below) made me want to show it to my students. So how was it?
The film was funnier than I had expected, the crowd actually soared with laughter many times during the 89 minutes of the film, but also more serious. The unrest was so close to the surface and the filmmakers were in the midst of all the drama, the mega crowds, the closed rooms, it seemed. Finally, the film was also more beautiful than I had imagined. It was filled with interesting angles, sharp, sharp images and our dusty, sometimes ragged, country came out as a piece of unrefined gold.
Ayekoo Mertz brothers!
Next the film will tour Ghana under the Political Safari flag. I hope it will make a stop at Ashesi! Updates to come!
3 Comments
Kajsa, welcome back. I really want to watch this film. I will give my comment when I have watched it.
Thanks, and you should! Looking forward to your views.
Good to see you back in the blogosphere! Can’t wait to watch the film, met Jarreth whilst he was in Ghana making the documentary, at the time I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to watch it!