SECRET BALLOT

SECRET BALLOT - 2001

RATED - G

RATINGS - 5,048 Netflix (2.9/5), 682 IMDB (6.5/10), 20 Amazon (3.5/5), Roger Ebert (3/4)

AWARDS - 10 wins and 3 nominations at various Film Festivals including Venice and London.

THEMES - Democracy, gender discrimination, politics.

STORY - The film begins with a plane dropping a large crate with a parachute on what appears to be a remote desert area by the ocean. It then pans to a bunk bed in the open by the beach with a soldier sleeping. He wakes and discovers the crate contains all the ballots and voting materials for the upcoming election and a notice that the voting agent will be arriving shortly and his assignment is to chaperon the agent around the island to collect and verify the votes. This is an Iranian island and when he discovers the bureaucratic agent is a woman, that is his first problem. The second is locating all the voters on the island and convincing them that voting is their responsibility and that it does impact their lives. The one day adventure of this odd couple, a reluctant Iranian soldier and enthusiastic, persevering female agent produces some humorous as well as sobering encounters with the reality of life on this island. Is the film primarily about democracy, gender discrimination or life in Iran? Perhaps it's a combination of all three in this documentary-like film. If you're only into action and fast-paced adventure, this movie is not for you, but, if you enjoy learning about other cultures and the people in other parts of the world who may be very different (or maybe not) from us, this is worth the time investment. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/03/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT.