PRESIDENT

 

Executive Produced by  Thandiwe Newton and Danny Glover SUNDANCE 2021 AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY 'PRESIDENT' OPENS IN LONDON TODAY AT BERTHA DOCHOUSE CAMILLA NIELSSON‘S CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED FILM ON THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE AVAILABLE ON DEMAND IN THE U.S. STARTING FEBRUARY 18 "It’s impossible to watch Camilla Nielsson’s outstanding, gripping, necessary documentary about Zimbabwe’s 2018 national elections, “President” — one of the year’s best nonfiction films — without thinking of democracy as an especially fragile system in an increasingly unhospitable time. The lessons for Americans in this story’s churning peril and carefully laid traps shouldn’t be ignored." – Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times 'PRESIDENT' WAS NOMINATED FOR THE GOTHAM AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY, NOMINATED FOR THE CINEMA EYE HONORS FOR OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION, & SHORTLISTED FOR THE IDA DOCUMENTARY AWARDS FOR BEST FEATURE AS SEEN ON:       WATCH NOW: THEATRICAL TRAILER "CRITIC'S PICK!" "A FRONT-ROW SEAT." "RIVETING." “Nielsson’s access to Chamisa allows for an intimate look at the Catch-22 of establishing a democracy amid state-sanctioned violence and corruption, and the grit of those fighting for it.” – Concepción de León, The New York Times “The way this film confronts the fragility of democracy and the ever-looming possibility of violence hit home for this American viewer in a way that was both harrowing and humbling.”  – A.O. Scott, The New York Times "Riveting. Nielsson’s galvanizing, epic-scale docuthriller..." "Rather like Frederick Wiseman, Nielsson has a knack for excavating savage drama from administrative process and politesse…Filmed with astonishing in-the-moment access." – Guy Lodge, Variety "A thrilling, enraging film, and its intimate access...is extraordinary." – Alissa Wilkinson, Vox "A devastating, heartened report of democracy in peril against a dictator." – Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com "A remarkable story of bravery and determination against daunting odds in Zimbabwe’s first “free and fair” elections...Chilling." – Finnuala Halligan, Screen Daily ________ Sundance Film Festival 2021 Winner – Special Jury Award for Cinema Verité Filmmaking Docville International Documentary Film Festival 2021 (Leuven) Winner – Jury Prize in the ConScience Competition Encounters International Documentary Film Festival 2021 (Johannesburg) Winner – Best International Feature Documentary É Tudo Verdade Festival Internacional De Documentários 2021 (São Paulo) Winner – Best Documentary in the International Competition Official Selection – AFI Docs 2021, CPH: DOX 2021, DOK.fest München 2021 ________ Produced by Danish company Final Cut for Real and US-based Louverture Films, in co-production with Norway-based Sant & Usant, the acclaimed feature documentary premiered to glowing reviews, with Variety giving it a rave as a “galvanizing, epic-scale docuthriller”. Nielsson won a Special Jury Award for Verité Filmmaking at Sundance. When Robert Mugabe was removed from power, Zimbabwe military leaders promised they would not seize control for themselves but would ensure democracy in a national election. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country’s utmost desire to be “led” and not “ruled”.  After decades of a corrupt group clinging to power using any tool available—legal or not—can a free, fair, and transparent election be truly possible?  As the follow-up to her widely acclaimed Democrats, Camilla Nielsson brings viewers into the heart of the struggle for power with stunningly close access and unhesitating courage, in a nation closely monitored by the entire world. President is a riveting and epic reminder that, while individuals and their specific ideals may differ, the fight for democracy is never-ending and of profound significance everywhere. DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT “A film like President is only possible when many, many people in front of and behind the camera agree to collaborate on all levels,” said director Camilla Nielsson.  “I think you can see clearly from the film, the intense and dangerous challenges that were presented in a situation where transparency and accountability are suppressed by those seeking to maintain an unjust status quo. The Zimbabwean crew members cannot be named in the credits for security concerns right now, but it is our shared goal to situate the people in the film in an ethical relationship with the people viewing it. We’re really excited that audiences in London now have access to the film starting today." ABOUT THE PRODUCTION Produced by Signe Byrge Sørensen (Flee, The Act of Killing) and Joslyn Barnes (Gunda, Hale County This Morning, This Evening) with executive producers Thandiwe Newton, Danny Glover, Susan Rockefeller, and Tone Grøttjord, and co-producers Anne Köhncke and Anita Rehoff Larsen.

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