剛從tommyjonk 的xanga中發現了一套很值得看的紀錄片,因此把內容轉載至此和大家分享。
初時懷疑,這套電影是否有劇本,但愈看下去,發覺小朋友的反應很真實,不像是預先排練的。最後,上網查看資料,發現原來導演只是提議一人一票選班長,其餘的都是小孩子、家長的真實紀錄。雖然故事情節很簡單,但正正就是縮影。候選人在幕僚控制下,千方百計拉攏選民;選民對選舉無知,一心只為從選票中得到利益,最後羅雷爸爸使出「送禮買選票」一招,成功奪得人心,順利當選。
請投我一票
影片記錄了2007年中國武漢市常青第一小學二年級三班的一次班長民主選舉。班上同學將從老師們選出的三名候選人中選出下一任班長。這三位候選人分別是:許曉菲,一名乖順、不善言辭而不具威脅力的女學生;成成,一個天性活潑、有著演講天賦的挑戰者;羅雷,以暴力管理班級的現任班長。為了讓孩子成功贏得競選,三名小候選人的家長們紛紛出謀劃策;而候選人為了爭奪選票,也使出了在成人世界裏常見的拉票手段,以更為稚嫩而直接的形式,展現在螢幕前。
PLEASE VOTE FOR ME is an award-winning documentary about an interesting social experiment with democracy in China. In an elementary school in the city of Wuhan in central China, three eight-year-old students campaign for the coveted position of class monitor. This is the first election for a class leader to be held in China. The three candidates hold debates, campaign tirelessly and show their intellectual and artistic skills, until one is voted the winner. Their parents, devoted to their only child, take part and start to influence the results. Language: Mandarin+English Subs Director: Weijun Chen
資料來源:維基百科
電影宣傳片.Film Trailer
全套電影
The Making Of
Producer Don Edkins talks about setting up the election experiment, how noisy children can be and why the film is not being shown in China.
What led you to make this film?
We wanted to make a film in China that addressed the question of democracy.
Will this film be broadcast in China?
The film will not be seen officially in China; the Chinese government will not allow it because the topic is sensitive.
How did you set up the democracy experiment in the classroom and get permission to conduct it?
Weijun Chen, the director, contacted the teachers and school and got to know everyone involved, including the students. The school then gave him permission to make the film. Each school year, monitors are appointed, and so he used this activity with the changes agreed and approved by the teachers and parents. He had to negotiate with the school, because in the beginning they were not so keen. The families and children were all very happy to get involved in the activity.
How did you gain the trust of the subjects in your film?
The filmmaker is from the same city in China, and a colleague of his is also the parent of one of the candidates.
Have the children and their families seen the film? If so, what do they think of it?
Cheng Cheng and his mother have seen the film, the others not yet. They think it’s a great film, and that it is a pity that the film cannot be screened in China. Cheng Cheng especially thinks that he has learnt a lot from this type of election—he can be more brave in expressing himself in public. His mother thought it was a good way to elect the monitor of the class, and that it is not wrong to teach kids about politics even though that is an adult activity. Weijun thinks that Cheng Cheng learnt a lot from the elections, and the teacher has now appointed him her assistant—which Cheng Cheng thinks is a more powerful position than monitor—and so he is happy.
What were some of the challenges you faced in making this film?
The fact that democracy is not an issue that can be openly discussed in China.
Tell us about a scene in the film that especially moved or resonated with you.
I think that would be the scene where Xu Xaiofei broke down during her performance in front of the class when they were instigated by the other two candidates to shout her down.
Were there any technical challenges you faced while shooting, and if so, how did you resolve them?
The noise level of the grade eight children! Using radio mics helped keep the track clean for the main characters.
What has the audience response been so far?
The film has not yet been shown in Wuhan due to the sensitivity of the political situation where discussing democracy is seen as a matter of state security. Audiences at festivals in other parts of the world where the film has so far been shown have been very enthusiastic and positive in their response.
The independent film business is a difficult one. What keeps you motivated?
Making films like this one!
Why did you choose to present your film on public television?
To reach a large audience in the USA, and to have the backing of the support services of PBS, Independent Lens and ITVS to generate a comprehensive outreach program that allows people to discuss and understand the issues raised in the film.
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