Watch Please Vote For Me

Please Vote For Me is a 2007 documentary film directed by Weijun Chen that captures the journey of a democratic election campaign in an elementary school in China. The film revolves around a social experiment conducted by third-grade teacher Wuhan, who integrates the concept of free elections into her classroom to encourage her students to learn about democracy and how it works. The experiment culminates in an election for Class Monitor, with three candidates vying for the prestigious position.

Cheng Cheng, Luo Lei, and Xu Xiaofei are the three candidates who participate in the election, and the film closely follows their efforts to win the hearts and minds of their classmates. Cheng Cheng is a confident and extroverted girl who believes that her natural leadership skills make her the best candidate for the job. Luo Lei is a quiet and reserved boy who prefers to lead by example and believes in fairness and equality above all else. Xu Xiaofei is a charming and persuasive boy who uses his charisma to gain support and votes from his classmates.

The film explores the challenges faced by each candidate as they campaign, including dealing with the pressures of popularity, negotiating alliances and tradeoffs, and managing conflicts and disagreements. The film also captures the reactions of the students and their families, who are actively involved in the campaign process and express their views on the candidates and their strategies.

One of the striking features of the film is its portrayal of the contrasts and contradictions of modern-day China, where the traditional values of authoritarianism and patriarchy coexist with the growing demands for freedom and democracy. The film shows how the election campaign exposes the fault lines and tensions in the school community, as parents and teachers struggle to reconcile their expectations of obedience and conformity with the aspirations of individualism and self-expression.

Throughout the film, we see the students grappling with the complexity and ambiguity of democratic ideals, as they learn about the importance of voting, debating, and compromising. The film presents a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of these young students, who are shown to be highly intelligent, articulate, and reflective, even as they are navigating the unfamiliar terrain of politics and power.

The film's cinematography is visually stunning, capturing the vivid colors and textures of the school environment and the dynamic energy and emotions of the children. The camera work is nimble and fluid, moving seamlessly between close-ups of the candidates' faces, panoramic shots of the classroom, and overhead views of the election process.

Please Vote For Me is a compelling and thought-provoking documentary that raises profound questions about the nature of democracy, citizenship, and community. It offers a refreshing perspective on the possibilities and challenges of democratic participation, as seen through the eyes of children who may one day become the leaders of their nation.