President

Play trailer

1:47

President

2021

2h 0m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

When Robert Mugabe was removed from power, Zimbabwe military leaders promised they would not seize control for themselves but would ensure democracy in a national election. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country's utmost desire to be "led" and not "ruled". After decades of a corrupt group clinging to power using any tool available--legal or not--can a free, fair, and transparent election be truly possible? As the follow-up to her widely acclaimed Democrats, Camilla Nielsson brings viewers into the heart of the struggle for power with stunningly close access and unhesitating courage, in a nation closely monitored by the entire world. President is a riveting and epic reminder that, while individuals and their specific ideals may differ, the fight for democracy is never-ending and of profound significance everywhere.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

President opens a sobering window into the precariousness of democracy -- and how difficult it can be to pull it back from the brink.

Read Critics Reviews

Phuong Le

Guardian

01/11/2022

4/5

What President does well is show that linear narrative is not necessarily the point in the fight for democracy.

Go to Full Review

Matt Fagerholm

RogerEbert.com

12/17/2021

3.5/4

[A] purposefully infuriating documentary.

Go to Full Review

Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

12/17/2021

"President" is in-the-moment documentary storytelling of the highest order, and what it's showing is what the threat to democracy everywhere looks like and will continue to look like.

Go to Full Review

William Schwartz

Book & Film Globe

07/13/2022

The low-context President...does little to explain what Zimbabwe’s democracy is and why opposition candidate Nelson Chamisa has so much faith in it when the country is notorious for Robert Mugabe ruling it with an iron fist.

Go to Full Review

Tom O'Brien

Next Best Picture

06/16/2022

8/10

The idea that a presidential election campaign in Zimbabwe would be the subject of a powerful documentary might seem an unlikely one. But in the hands of Danish filmmaker Camilla Nielsson, "President" is not only gripping but downright revelatory

Go to Full Review

Christopher Cross

Tilt Magazine

04/10/2022

4/5

Infuriating and tense, President bares it all to show the lengths those in power will go to maintain control.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

greg r

@itsgregsworld 06/28/2022

To watch a people give everything for democracy while living in a country that couldn't give two sh*ts about having it? Well, it leaves me speechless. And wishing I were living somewhere else.

See more

dave d

06/08/2022

Besides being a cautionary tale, the story of the 2018 Presidential election in Zimbabwe on its face appears to be one of the worst gaslighting events a government has ever pulled on its citizens. I can't imagine what it is like to live in a place where politicians like only when their lips are moving. This is never uninteresting and how about a shout out for all the journalists from all over the world doing what is right and not what is easy by covering this fraud election despite intimidation from the ruling oppressive regime. Worth watching, unless you want it repeated. How is stuff like this not covered by the US media? Amazing. Final Score: 8/10

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Camilla Nielsson

Director

Nelson Chamisa

Self

Nkululeko Sibanda

Self

Thabani Mpofu

Self

Joslyn Barnes

Producer

Signe Byrge Sørensen

Producer

A House Made of Splinters

97%

82%

A House Made of Splinters

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A House Made of Splinters

What Walaa Wants

100%

%

What Walaa Wants

Watchlist

Bobi Wine: The People's President

100%

83%

Bobi Wine: The People's President

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bobi Wine: The People's President

Softie

92%

%

Softie

Watchlist

Angels Are Made of Light

100%

%

Angels Are Made of Light

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Angels Are Made of Light

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

President: Trailer 1

1:47

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

When Robert Mugabe was removed from power, Zimbabwe military leaders promised they would not seize control for themselves but would ensure democracy in a national election. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country's utmost desire to be "led" and not "ruled". After decades of a corrupt group clinging to power using any tool available--legal or not--can a free, fair, and transparent election be truly possible? As the follow-up to her widely acclaimed Democrats, Camilla Nielsson brings viewers into the heart of the struggle for power with stunningly close access and unhesitating courage, in a nation closely monitored by the entire world. President is a riveting and epic reminder that, while individuals and their specific ideals may differ, the fight for democracy is never-ending and of profound significance everywhere.

Director: Camilla Nielsson
Producer: Joslyn Barnes, Signe Byrge Sørensen
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Final Cut for Real, Medieoperatørene
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 18, 2022
Runtime: 2h 0m

Most Popular at Home Now