President

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1:47

President

2021

2h 0m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

President opens a sobering window into the precariousness of democracy -- and how difficult it can be to pull it back from the brink.

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Phuong Le

Guardian

What President does well is show that linear narrative is not necessarily the point in the fight for democracy.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 11, 2022

Full Review

Matt Fagerholm

RogerEbert.com

[A] purposefully infuriating documentary.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 17, 2021

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

"President" is in-the-moment documentary storytelling of the highest order, and what it's showing is what the threat to democracy everywhere looks like and will continue to look like.

Dec 17, 2021

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William Schwartz

Book & Film Globe

The low-context President...does little to explain what Zimbabwe’s democracy is and why opposition candidate Nelson Chamisa has so much faith in it when the country is notorious for Robert Mugabe ruling it with an iron fist.

Jul 13, 2022

Full Review

Tom O'Brien

Next Best Picture

The idea that a presidential election campaign in Zimbabwe would be the subject of a powerful documentary might seem an unlikely one. But in the hands of Danish filmmaker Camilla Nielsson, "President" is not only gripping but downright revelatory

Rated: 8/10

Jun 16, 2022

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Christopher Cross

Tilt Magazine

Infuriating and tense, President bares it all to show the lengths those in power will go to maintain control.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 10, 2022

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greg r

To watch a people give everything for democracy while living in a country that couldn't give two sh*ts about having it? Well, it leaves me speechless. And wishing I were living somewhere else.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

dave d

Besides being a cautionary tale, the story of the 2018 Presidential election in Zimbabwe on its face appears to be one of the worst gaslighting events a government has ever pulled on its citizens. I can't imagine what it is like to live in a place where politicians like only when their lips are moving. This is never uninteresting and how about a shout out for all the journalists from all over the world doing what is right and not what is easy by covering this fraud election despite intimidation from the ruling oppressive regime. Worth watching, unless you want it repeated. How is stuff like this not covered by the US media? Amazing. Final Score: 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Camilla Nielsson

Director

Nelson Chamisa

Self

Nkululeko Sibanda

Self

Thabani Mpofu

Self

Joslyn Barnes

Producer

Signe Byrge Sørensen

Producer

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Synopsis

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: Camilla Nielsson
Producer: Joslyn Barnes, Signe Byrge Sørensen
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Final Cut for Real, Medieoperatørene
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 18, 2022
Runtime: 2h 0m

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