Democracy 4 Dummies: A How-To Documentary. Sophia Male (Writer & Director). Sophia Male (Producer). Montreal, PQ: National Film Board of Canada, 2007. 44 min., 33 sec., VHS or DVD, $99.95. Order Number: 153C 0107 174. Subject Headings: Canada-Parliament-Elections, 2006. Green Party of Canada. Democracy-Canada. Grades 8 and up / Ages 13 and up. Review by Ian Stewart. ** /4

Democracy 4 Dummies proves something important to students. We live in a remarkable country where anyone with a little gumption can run for political office. Democracy 4 Dummies follows the campaign of Dylan Perceval-Maxwell, a Green Party candidate struggling to raise funds and attract the media's attention so that he gets his message out to the public. It is really quite an inspiring little documentary full of pithy political quotes and goofy characters. Unfortunately, in the quest to mock the political establishment's staid policies and middle-class Canada's complacency, it does the Green Party a disservice by neglecting to bring out the important message and alternatives the party has to offer. The Greens are, in fact, equated with the now defunct Rhino Party, which amused us immensely in the 1960s-thru 80's. As well, one of the Green candidates drops an unnecessary "F-bomb," which may affect its viewing audience.

Recommended with reservations.

Ian Stewart is a resource teacher at David Livingstone School in Winnipeg, MB.

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