En bra vecka för demokratin
overblik
The idyllic Almedalen on the Swedish island of Gotland has been the location of a week-long political meeting for the people since 1968. Here, thousands of politicians, press people and not least PR executives meet every summer to discuss what preoccupies us. And to be seen. For politics is (also) about self-presentation, and we are there both in front of the stage and behind the scenes in a sharp, funny and informative film about the dubious state of modern democracy in the age of Facebook and fake news. The camera keeps rolling when everyone else turns their gaze away, and captures both the absurdity of the perfect surface and the true commitment of the elected politicians. Cecilia Björk's clear-sighted film is an intelligent visual analysis of the political establishment and its interplay with the media. An echo chamber of overlapping interests and a market place of opinions, where one has to make an effort to be heard. A good week for democracy? See for yourself.