PLEASE VOTE FOR ME

China, 2007, 58 min, VIDEO
In Mandarin with English subtitles

DIR: Weijun Chen
PROD: Don Edkins
DP: Weijun Chen, Hua Zhao
ED: Jean Tsien
www.whydemocracy.net/film/3

Winner of the Sterling Audience Award at the AFI Silverdocs Film Festival, PLEASE VOTE FOR ME is one of the most insightful and enjoyable documentaries of the year.

In a school of Wuhan, China, it's class monitor election time. Three eight-year old contenders are chosen to square off: an incumbent known for his harsh dictatorship, the smart yet shy girl with a penchant for gossip, and the much-loved class clown. While their parents coach and strategize as the free election approaches, the children face their fears and their challengers in a no-holds-barred series of classroom debates. The illicit betrayals, tears and laughter, and reveal the hardships of the campaign and coming to terms with defeat.

In this immensely entertaining snapshot of a culture going through change and the growing pains of their children, Weijun Chen's expertly crafted film will have you on the edge of your seat as the winner is announced.

Biography
Weijun Chen is a documentary director and producer living in Wuhan, China. After graduating in Journalism from the Sichuan University in 1992 he joined the documentary production department of the Wuhan regional TV station. His first FILM MY LIFE IS MY PHILOSOPHY was nominated for the best documentary of the year by the Chinese National Association of Broadcasters. In 2003 Chen completed TO LIVE IS BETTER THAN TO DIE, which was awarded a Peabody and Grierson award, as well at the Rodlf Vrfba Award from the One World Festival.