Bermuda International Film Festival 2009

One might feel a little jaded about the most recent presidential election; it’s hard to imagine that there is anything left to tell about who said what, when, why and to whom – however this documentary is definitely worth viewing. In 2007 a small group of European filmmakers wanted to understand why so many in the USA did not vote when the result was to elect, arguably, the most powerful man in the world. As they track across the USA, it becomes apparent that the non-voters are the very people who would have most to gain by a change in leadership. It may be difficult to remember, but Barack Obama’s biggest threat was the indifference to, and lack of belief in, the office of President on the part of his potential voters. While the film may not fulfil its ambition to identify the causes of non-voting (and it may not make contact with the elusive Oprah!), it is nonetheless a fascinating record of the year before Obama became famous, and of the efforts of ordinary people who helped create the change.