An African Election

The 2008 presidential elections in Ghana, serve as the backdrop for this Sundance 2011 Award Nominated feature documentary that looks behind the scenes at the complex, political machinery of a third world democracy struggling to legitimize itself to its first world contemporaries. At stake are the fates of two political parties that will do almost anything to win.

Director Merz follows the key players for almost three months to provide an unprecedented insider’s view of the political, economic and social forces at work in Ghana.

An African Election exposes the never-before-seen, nitty-gritty of political electioneering in Africa and captures the intrigues of political campaigns in the almost carnival like atmosphere that is laced with fear of the unknown and the danger that lurks behind the scene. Merz builds suspense going down the back roads of the nation to capture each unexpected twist and turn in a contest that is always exciting and never predictable. He immerses himself in the electrified atmosphere of the long awaited election and for the first time ever, a filmmaker may have succeeded in penetrating the so-called Strong Room, where all election results are being gathered.

The film depicts the pride and humanity of the larger-than-life politicians, party operatives and citizens who battle for the soul of their country.