It's Movie Week: Please Vote for Me

There is democracy in China--at least in one third grade classroom in the city of Wuhan. In Please Vote For Me, documentary director Chen Weijun follows the campaigns of three candidates for classroom monitor. Based on the trailers and clip below, it's shockingly familiar for kids who have never seen American democracy in action: the backroom deals, the negative campaigning, the constituencies, the denials. One hardly knows if this is China's way of easing into democracy or to show it's youngsters how democracy can be a popularity contest.




Unfortunately, I didn't get to see this at a film festival or on PBS on Independent Lens, so I'm out of luck until August 19 when it becomes available at Amazon. Ryan Stewart at Cinematical did see it, however, and gave it a positive review.

Trailer on YouTube




Alternate trailer