Why Democracy? is the world’s largest ever factual multi-media event. 10 long documentaries, 18 short films, a website and accompanying print and radio coverage were combined to create a global debate about contemporary democracy. More than 45 broadcasters participated with films being screened in 180 countries around the world. The long films were made in China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Liberia, Bolivia, the USA, Denmark and Russia.
Don Edkins, Executive Producer.
Courtesy of STEPS International
Best Documentary Feature, Sarasota FF 2007
The Why Democracy? films all screen together in JHB and CT except for Opening Night.
Coming of Age
Kenya 2007 9min
Judy Kibinge
Kenya growing to maturity as seen by a girl travelling the same road, first under Kenyatta with great optimism, then through turbulent teens with Daniel arap Moi, and then all grown up, but wondering ‘where to?’ under the rule of Mwai Kibaki.
Jhb Thur 19 / 8pm invite only MoN 23 / 8:45pm Sat 28 / 2:45pm
CT Thur 3 / 8pm invite only Sun 6 / 8:30pm + Q&A Fri 11 / 6:15pm
Don’t Shoot
South Africa 2007 11min
Lucilla Blankenberg
Riaan Cruywagen in the picture. No, it’s not a news bulletin, but the “face of the news in South Africa” and the longest serving newsreader in the world, telling how his professional ethics have kept him in the seat since 1976 and through our transition to democracy.
Jhb Thur 19 / 8pm invite only MoN 23 / 8:45pm Sat 28 / 2:45pm
CT Thur 3 / 8pm invite only Sun 6 / 8:30pm + Q&A Fri 11 / 6:15pm
Iron Ladies of Liberia
USA 2007 52 min
Siatta Scott Johnson & Daniel Junge
How different would the world be if women were running the show? This fascinating fly-on-the-wall account of the first year of power for Africa’s first woman president provides a glimpse of just how effective a group of women can be on one civil-war-strewn African nation. In 2005, the majority of Liberia’s shell-shocked population voted in Africa’s first women president. At her inauguration Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf vowed to rebuild her country, fight corruption, elevate women and exercise leadership without repression. None of these have proved easy tasks. Instead, the Harvard-educated economist and grandmother of eight faces almost insurmountable obstacles, not least of which is that after two civil wars the country’s economic and social fabric is in ruins. Followed by an impartial camera crew, Johnson-Sirleaf and her merry band of feisty women (comprising of the minister of finance, chief of police and minister of commerce) transfers the local market, berates an international company, seeks clemency on an astonishing US$4billion national debt, re-organises the police force, seeks out new international partners, negotiates ex-soldier’s pensions, and silences dissent from those still loyal to Charles Taylor – all in a year’s work. Dogmatic, practical and facing every situation with refreshing calm and honesty, Johnson-Sirleaf makes an admirable start at dragging Liberia, kicking and screaming into the new millennium and stopping it from, once again, sliding into anarchy and chaos.
Winner of Best Political Documentaries & Special Jury Prize at Banff World Television Festival, 2008
Winner of Millennium Development Goal Awards at One World Media Awards, London presented by the European Union, 2008
Jhb Thur 19 / 8pm invite only MoN 23 / 8:45pm Sat 28 / 2:45pm
CT Thur 3 / 8pm invite only Sun 6 / 8:30pm + Q&A Fri 11 / 6:15pm