The Edge of Democracy (2019)
Runtime: 121 minutes
Synopsis: Political documentary and personal memoir collide in this exploration into the complex truth behind the unraveling of two Brazilian presidencies.
Verdict: "The Edge of Democracy" is a fascinating political documentary about the rise and fall of Brazilian presidents Lula and Dilma Rousseff and the effects they had on a country that very recently adopted a democratic system.
Released on Netflix last summer, the documentary, directed by Petra Costa, earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination as well as critical acclaim with a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While on the surface it's a very interesting look at the behind the scenes of the scandals that divided an entire country over the last few years, its main aim is to present the injustices of democratic elections and their legitimacy in countries that, at their core, are still governed by oligarchies. It shows that as long as powerful and corrupt people are leading their war on the working class, they'll always find a way to get what they want no matter what the results of fair elections suggest.
It's worth mentioning, however, that I was able to resonate with the subject at hand and found it of vast interest because, unfortunately, Lebanon does suffer from very similar problems. Much like Brazil, democracy is only a facade here, and while the people technically do have a say through elections, the final word will almost always be the propriety of the corrupt people who have been running the country for decades now. The world truly is an ugly, unfair place, and "The Edge of Democracy" showcases that in a very efficient and layered way.
Released on Netflix last summer, the documentary, directed by Petra Costa, earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination as well as critical acclaim with a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While on the surface it's a very interesting look at the behind the scenes of the scandals that divided an entire country over the last few years, its main aim is to present the injustices of democratic elections and their legitimacy in countries that, at their core, are still governed by oligarchies. It shows that as long as powerful and corrupt people are leading their war on the working class, they'll always find a way to get what they want no matter what the results of fair elections suggest.
It's worth mentioning, however, that I was able to resonate with the subject at hand and found it of vast interest because, unfortunately, Lebanon does suffer from very similar problems. Much like Brazil, democracy is only a facade here, and while the people technically do have a say through elections, the final word will almost always be the propriety of the corrupt people who have been running the country for decades now. The world truly is an ugly, unfair place, and "The Edge of Democracy" showcases that in a very efficient and layered way.
FINAL GRADE: 7/10
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