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Over the course of more than three years, director Camilla Nielsson gained exclusive access to the inner circles of politics in Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe. 

Synopsis

Over the course of more than three years, director Camilla Nielsson gained exclusive access to the inner circles of politics in Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe. Democrats follows two political opponents, the bullish Mangwana of the long-time ruling party ZANU-PF, and the Movement for Democratic Change's progressive Mwonzora, as they face the gargantuan task of writing a new constitution for the country. The process is marred from the outset: sinister theatrics from ZANU-PF corrupt a nationwide consultation designed to hear the people's voice, secret police keep a watchful eye on the proceedings, and meetings descend into violent clashes. Mangwana and Mwonzora are determined to push on. But as the drama unfolds, the grave personal costs to reaching political victory become clear. Nielsson's observational storytelling delivers compelling insight into the political game and an engaging portrait of those Zimbabweans who are fighting for change.

Following the disputed 2008 elections Robert Mugabe's party, the Zimbabwe Africa National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), committed widespread abuses. More than 200 people were killed and thousands more beaten and tortured. A power-sharing government was formed with the opposition to institute human rights and political reforms. Mugabe's party, which continued to enjoy sweeping powers in the coalition government with the Movement for Democratic Change, demonstrated a lack of political will to effect genuine reforms. Human Rights Watch documented how the power-sharing government made a few positive changes, including overseeing the writing of a new constitution, which ZANU-PF sought to portray as genuine improvement in Zimbabwe's human rights situation. In practice, ZANU-PF blocked efforts to reaffirm rights provisions in the new constitution, repeal or amend laws as necessary, or firmly establish the rule of law.

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Credits

Camilla Nielsson

Director

Camilla Nielsson holds a master's degree in Anthropology & Media Studies, New York University 2000. She has worked as an independant filmmaker since 2000. Producer/director of "The Children of Darfur" (2006). Director of "Mumbai Disconnected" (2009). "Democrats" will be Nielsson's featurelength debute.