100
The New York Times by Glenn Kenny
Both inspiring and upsetting, Democrats is, finally, a film that deserves to be called “necessary.”
Democrats
Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
An intriguing look at an authoritarian state on the verge of democratization: how Zimbabwe got a new constitution. Two political enemies are forced on a joint mission to write Zimbabwe's new constitution. The ultimate test that will either take the country a decisive step closer to democracy and away from President Mugabe's dictatorship, or toward renewed repression. In a country with little respect for human rights, impeded by economic sanctions and hyperinflation running rampant, failure is not an option.
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What are critics saying?
100
Village Voice by Alan Scherstuhl
As excellent a documentary about politics as you will ever see.
100
Time Out by Joshua Rothkopf
This film leaves you with the thrill of a good fight fought hard. It’s a scrappy, absorbing tribute to the pragmatic value of compromise, carefully proffered in pursuit of a greater good. America’s candidates would do well to take a page out of this doc’s book.
90
New York Magazine (Vulture) by Bilge Ebiri
It truly is a movie about politics, and it’s among the more mesmerizing ones you’ll see — even if you know very little about Zimbabwe itself.
83
The Playlist by Rodrigo Pérez
Nielsson’s documentary portrait is a tragic look at the broken political process in Zimbabwe.
75
RogerEbert.com by Matt Fagerholm
What’s lacking from the film is any substantial exploration of the Constitution itself, and the democratic laws that would’ve made it a game-changer in Zimbabwe, had any of them been put into effect.
75
Slant Magazine by Clayton Dillard
According to the film, individual misdeeds aren't the final enemy, but the byproduct of an unregulated regime.
70
The Hollywood Reporter by John DeFore
Nielsson somewhat frustratingly avoids giving us many cues to the passage of time, but nevertheless the film captures some of the drama generated by the public's impatience and Mugabe's maneuvering during the long drafting process
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