Democrats

An intriguing look at an authoritarian state on the verge of democratisation. The film follows representatives of Mugabe’s regime and the opposition party closely during the ‘making of’ a new Constitution for Zimbabwe.

Following one of Africa’s bloodiest elections, autocrat Robert Mugabe made a promise to the people of Zimbabwe: a new Constitution. Top politicians spearheading the process, Paul Mangwana of Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party and MDC representative Douglas Mwonzora, travelled together throughout the country to ask Zimbabweans in special meetings about their opinions on matters such as the organisation of the judicial system and the president’s authority.

The camera follows the two men – sometimes together, sometimes separately – as they undertake their gargantuan task. It quickly becomes clear that ZANU-PF is not above influencing the opinions of participants at the meetings. Overcoming their initial suspicion, a kind of understanding grows between the two men. But then Mangwana becomes the target of intimidation by ZANU-PF supporters and Mwonzora seems in no way protected from Mugabe’s machinations.